SOUTHAMPTON liner Oriana is limping back to port today after a freak wave shattered windows injuring passengers in mid-Atlantic.

Repairs to the P&O ship were being carried out at sea after the 40ft wave left seven passengers and one crew member needing medical treatment.

The P&O liner was carrying 1,525 passengers and 800 crew back to Southampton from her first visit to New York.

The wave smashed windows of six cabins on the lower passenger deck and water poured down the main midships staircase.

A P&O spokesman said three passengers suffered minor injuries from broken glass and four people had to be treated for shock. A crew member was also injured.

The spokesman said: "Passengers who suffered minor injuries and shock were treated by the ship's medical staff.

"These passengers have now contacted their relatives to reassure them."

He added: "At no time was the ship or its passengers in danger."

Leader of Gosport Borough Council Peter Edgar was on board. He said: ''I have done the transatlantic trip before and that was the roughest seas I have seen. It definitely was a very frightening incident to see water come into a liner like the Oriana.

"My restaurant was on the sixth floor and I think it was decks five and four that took the damage. It was quite worrying.

"The crew all shot off to their emergency stations and put their life jackets on and we were told to sit on the deck. It was very well controlled and it was a great credit to the ship's company that they handled this situation in such a professional manner.''

Oriana left Southampton three weeks ago for her cruise to New York, where she has carried out charter cruises.

P&O said she was due to arrive back in Southampton tomorrow, but this is now delayed. It is not known what time Oriana will return to her home city, or if she will be able to sail on a planned Mediterranean cruise tomorrow.

The spokesman said P&O would contact customers with more information when it was available.

This is the latest mishap to hit the 69,000 ton superliner. Launched in April 1995, the £200 million flagship liner damaged its propellers minutes after setting sail from the German yard where she was built. Within less than a month of hitting the oceans, she twice broke down completely.

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