A WOMAN has died after falling overboard off a Stena Line ferry bound for Ireland.
The woman, who has not been named, fell from the vessel, which was headed for Rosslare Harbour, shortly before 5pm this past Sunday, June 7.
The incident, which occurred on the Cherbourg to Rosslare Stena Horizon route, is being treated as a tragic accident by the authorities.
Despite a huge effort from the emergency services responding to the incident, the woman, who has been described as an Irish resident heading home with her family, was pronounced dead at the scene.
She is believed to have hit her head on the side of the vessel just prior to landing in the water.
Her body has been transported to Rosslare with a garda investigation into the incident now underway.
Weymouth RNLI said in a statement: "Following a request from Solent Coastguard. Weymouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat was launched at 5.18 pm on Sunday 7th June 2020 to join in the search for a woman who had fallen overboard from the Roll on Roll Off ferry Stena Horizon in the shipping lanes mid channel.
"Just before the lifeboat arrived on scene 26 miles SSW of Portland Bill, news came in that the body of the woman had been found.
"A rescue boat from the Stena Horizon which had been launched to search for her, found her body and had taken her onto the vessel, which then continued on its journey.
"The lifeboat was released and returned to Weymouth at 7.38pm where it was refuelled and made ready for the next shout."
