A ship’s passenger died after he fell and hit his head as the vessel battled rough seas in the South Atlantic.

American tax accountant Francis Burns, 70, was a passenger on the MV Plancius heading towards Antarctica when, on the evening of December 1 last year he fell in his cabin as the ship ploughed through chopping waters.

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The ship’s doctor treated him for the head injury, but Mr Burns’ condition worsened. He died on December 2.

At an inquest this week, senior coroner for Oxfordshire Darren Salter recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

Mr Burns’ record of inquest notes he was a married tax accountant who lived in Denver, Colorado.

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