Ferry plunge woman missing (From Western Telegraph)

Ferry plunge woman missing

A woman is missing, presumed dead, after falling overboard from a ferry off Fishguard on Sunday night.

Rescue services called off their search on Monday morning after looking for her throughout the night. A coastguard spokesman said the search would not be resumed.

The ferry crew were alerted at about 11.30 pm on Sunday by a passenger who saw the woman falling into the water.

Luggage left on board indicates that she may have been 46 years old and living in the Bristol area.

At the time the Stena Galloway ferry was on its way to Fishguard and around halfway across the Irish Sea, some 25 miles west of Strumble Head. There were 170 passengers aboard.

The ferry stopped immediately after the alarm was raised and put a fast rescue craft into the water to begin the search.

Milford Haven Coastguard launched a full search and rescue operation, scrambling a helicopter from RAF Valley in Anglesey, which used thermal imaging equipment to aid their search. A second helicopter from the Irish Coastguard joined the search, using infra-red equipment.

Fishguard and Rosslare lifeboats also searched through the night, joined by St Davids lifeboat at first light on Monday morning.

No sightings were made by any of the rescue craft and the operation was called off at 9.45 am.

The ferry called off its search a little earlier at 6 am and continued its journey to Fishguard. It docked at 9 am.

Speaking after returning to the lifeboat station, Fishguard lifeboat coxswain Frank George said it was unlikely the woman would now be found.

He added that conditions had been very dark but visibility had been good. A spokesman for Dyfed Powys Police said: Fishguard police are investigating the matter.