A number of people have contacted VB to tell us that searches are being carried out in the sea around Cowes.
UPDATE 11 July: The woman has been found safe and well.
UPDATE 21:45 9 July: Island Coastguards have officially confirmed that an alarm was raised when it was realised that one foot passenger down was unaccounted from the ‘Red Eagle’ ferry disembarkation at East Cowes at 6pm.
Matt West, Watch Officer, Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said: “We are very concerned for the welfare of the missing foot passenger, who we believe to be a lady in her forties, grey hair and wearing a flowered dress. It is uncertain if she may have got into a car and left the ferry, but at the moment we have to assume the worst that she may have fallen into the water and a search is therefore ongoing.
“We urge anyone who may have seen this lady leave the ferry to contact the Coastguard immediately.”
Many services are involved are involved with the search including Calshot and Cowes RNLI Lifeboats; Coastguard Rescue helicopter; Needles and Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Teams; Hampshire Police; Southampton and Cowes Harbour Patrol Launches
–end of update
Wayne Spurge, told us that it was reported towards the end of tonight’s BBC South Today.
It’s rumoured that a woman may have jumped of a Red Funnel ferry, although we’ve been unable to contact Red Funnel to confirm or deny this.
John R told VB, “Air Sea Rescue helicopter making repeated slow passes over river Medina at Cowes.”
