An American tourist fell ill before being airlifted from a cruise ship.

Authorities said the passenger, 77, showed heart attack symptoms aboard the ship off the Azores, Portugal, and required urgent evacuation.

Dramatic footage shows a helicopter approaching the vessel and airlifting the holidaymaker off the deck.

The Portuguese Air Force said in a statement on Tuesday, April 1: 'Yesterday, the Air Force rescued a 77-year-old American man who needed urgent medical assistance while on board a cruise ship.'

After being recovered, the patient was taken to Sao Miguel before being transported to a hospital.

The Air Force added that it was 'prepared to respond to emergencies, ensuring search and rescue operations in a vast area of ​​the North Atlantic'.

There have been no further updates on the visitor's medical condition.