An elderly British lady is believed to have died after falling off a cruise ship which left New York for the Caribbean over the Christmas weekend.
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) called off a search Saturday for the 74-year-old passenger, who investigators believe fell off RMS Queen Mary 2 some 100 miles southeast of Atlantic City on Friday, Petty Officer David Micallef told BBC.
Queen Mary 2 departed New York on Thursday for a 12-night itinerary to St. Marteen. The transatlantic ocean liner turned around to assist in the search after the woman was reported missing, but as night fell Friday, ship officials halted their efforts and resumed course.
"It is with sadness we can confirm that after a comprehensive search, working with all relevant authorities, Queen Mary 2 has halted the search for a missing guest, presumed overboard," the ship operator, Cunard Cruise Line, said in a statement. "Cunard's care team is offering every support to the family."
U.S. Coast Guard searches for cruise ship passenger in Bahamas
The Coast Guard launched an unsuccessful aerial search for the woman, using a fixed wing airplane and a Jayhawk helicopter.
Officials declined to disclose further information about how the unidentified woman went missing when reached by the Daily News Tuesday evening.