An investigation is under way after a crew member died in an accident on board a cargo ship in King's Lynn.

Eastern Daily Press: The SMN Explorer cargo ship at the Alexandra Dock in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe SMN Explorer cargo ship at the Alexandra Dock in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

Firefighters and an ambulance were sent to the Alexandra Dock, near John Kennedy Road, at 11.40am today. They were later followed by a police forensic van.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch confirmed that a fatality had happened.

A spokesman said: 'We are aware of an accident on board a vessel. 'We have sent a team to investigate the fatality of a crewman on board the Liberia registered cargo ship SMN Explorer in King's Lynn, Norfolk on February 1, 2018.'

The East of England Ambulance Trust said: We were called at 11.28am today to reports of a traumatic injury on a ship.

Eastern Daily Press: The SMN Explorer cargo ship at the Alexandra Dock in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian BurtThe SMN Explorer cargo ship at the Alexandra Dock in King's Lynn. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant 2018)

An ambulance, rapid response vehicle and ambulance officer attended. Sadly one patient died at the scene.'

The 82m Explorer was built in 1996. It is described as being on time charter to Scotline, which transports softwoods and other bulk cargoes. The company declined to comment on the accident.

As well as Lynn, recent destinations have been Varberg, in Sweden and Bremerhaven, in Germany.

When the accident happened the ship was berthed in Alexandra Dock - one of two basins separated from the tidal River Ouse by a lock gate.