A British woman has been rescued after falling from a cruise ship in the Adriatic Sea.

Kay Longstaff was travelling on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star when she fell approximately 60 miles off the coast of Croatia on Saturday. She was found by the Croatian coastguard after 10 hours.

Speaking to reporters, she said: “I’m very lucky to be alive. I was in the water for 10 hours, so these wonderful guys rescued me.”

The 46-year-old was subsequently taken to hospital in the town of Pula. One of the rescuers told local media: “She said the fact that she practices yoga helped her as she was fit. And she said she was singing to not feel cold in the sea overnight.”

The rescue vessel’s captain, Lovro Oreskovic, said she was “exhausted” when the crew found her, adding: “We were extremely happy for saving a human life.”

In a statement, Norwegian Cruise Line said: “We are pleased to advise that the guest was found alive, is currently in stable condition, and has been taken ashore in Croatia for further treatment.

“We are very happy that the individual, who is a UK resident, is now safe and will soon be reunited with friends and family.”