Ferry passenger search called off

The Val de Loire was travelling from Santander to Plymouth

The search for a Devon woman feared dead after going overboard from a ferry has been called off, according to police.

The 31-year-old from Plymouth had apparently been enjoying a drink before she somehow fell overboard at 0100 BST on Friday from the aft deck of the ferry, which was travelling from Santander in northern Spain to Plymouth.

Detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police were interviewing passengers to find out exactly what happened.

"No search is continuing and the investigation is now in the hands of the French police," said a police spokesman.

Immediate search

"The incident happened 135km (83 miles) west of a French island called Belle Isle en Mer in international waters.

"The individual was seen to fall overboard by a number of passengers on board.

"We still appeal for anyone who hasn't made themselves known to come forward."

Weather conditions were reportedly fine when the incident happened off the coast of Finisterre, northern France.

The ferry crew was alerted and the captain of the Val de Loire, a Brittany Ferry, stopped the ship and ordered an immediate search.

French coastguards scrambled a search party, including helicopters, and local fishing boats joined in.

Mother informed

But the search failed to find the woman.

The ferry docked four hours late in Plymouth at about 1630 BST on Friday.

The woman's mother has been informed, but not the rest of the family, so her name had not yet been released, police said.

A Brittany Ferries spokesman said the woman was not swept overboard by a wave and the matter was in the hands of the police.