Second Arrest Made After Shoreham Man Dies on MSC Virtuosa Cruise

A second man has been arrested as part of an investigation into the death of 60-year-old James Messham from Shoreham, who died during a cruise aboard the MSC Virtuosa.

The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, 3 May, while the ship was still in British waters, shortly after departing Southampton.

A 56-year-old man from Richmond, London, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and remains in custody. This follows the earlier arrest of a 57-year-old man from Exeter, who was held on suspicion of murder and later released pending further enquiries. Hampshire Constabulary is leading the investigation and has appealed for information from anyone who was on board the vessel at the time.

Mr Messham was known for operating the travelling attraction Messham’s Wall of Death. Tributes posted online described him as a “great showman” and expressed shock at the circumstances surrounding his death. The cruise was on a short trip to Belgium when the incident took place.