By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 29-YEAR-OLD Kenyan man was hospitalised in serious condition on Saturday after allegedly ingesting a cleaning chemical aboard a cruise ship in a case of suspected suicide.

Police said they were alerted shortly after 12.30pm by a ship official that the man had allegedly swallowed a chemical substance and needed medical attention.

Emergency Medical Services transported him to hospital, where police later spoke with the attending physician.

The man was admitted in a sedated condition and was unable to communicate. Arrangements were being made to airlift him to the United States for further treatment.

According to the preliminary investigation, the man had asked for a cleaning chemical, reportedly accessible from the kitchen area, to clean his work area.

The substance was provided to him in a plastic cup.

Police said he was seen vomiting shortly afterwards and required emergency medical attention.

Investigators processed the scene and identified the chemical substance suspected of being ingested.

The matter remains under investigation.