A man understood to have lived in Bucks is one of four people to have died on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship - and his wife has been left "frightened" and alone.

John Carter, 75, who is believed to have recently moved away from Downley, sadly passed away aboard the Holland America Zaandam cruise ship on March 22 and his widow has been isolated and on her own since his death.

Their devastated family pleaded with US President Donald Trump to allow the cruise ship to dock in Florida, but officials were reluctant to allow anyone else into the state healthcare system.

The ship, which left Buenos Aires on March 7, had previously been refused entry at several ports across Central and North America.

Mr Trump has now said arrangements have been made with the UK government to evacuate British passengers on two cruise ships set to soon dock in Florida after being hit by the coronavirus.

The Carters were among 200 Britons on the ship, which has recorded nine confirmed cases of Covid-19 and has some 200 people on board who have reported flu-like symptoms.

The latest development regarding the two Florida-bound ships come as authorities in Mexico allowed 46 British citizens to disembark from another cruise ship off its Caribbean coast and fly home on Wednesday.

It also came after Mr Carter’s family pleaded for Mr Trump and Florida officials to allows the two ships to dock so that passengers and crew can receive “the urgent assistance that they so desperately need”.

In a statement, the family said Mr Carter’s widow urgently required assistance.

“She is struggling to eat the limited meals and is feeling unwell,” the family said.

“She is obviously distressed and extremely frightened.

“They were both in good health and did not foresee the terrible situation that has arisen. John became unwell aboard the ship and passed away on the 22nd March, 2020.

"We do not know the cause of his death at present.”

Mrs Carter's family say they have only had minimal contact with her as her mobile phone is no longer working.

The Zaandam originally departed from Buenos Aires on March 7, a day before the US State Department advised against cruise travel and before any substantial restrictions were in place in Florida.

The ship had been scheduled to stop in San Antonio, Chile, then complete another 20-day cruise to arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 7.

But since March 15, the Zaandam has assumed pariah-like status, having been denied entry at a succession of ports.