AN elderly woman died just seconds into a Red Funnel ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight from Southampton yesterday afternoon.

The death left hundreds of passengers aboard two other Red Funnel ferry's stranded for more than an hour as emergency services rushed to the stricken woman shortly after 3pm.

It is understood the 84-year-old lady was taken sick just seconds after the 3pm ferry left the quayside, forcing the ship's captain to immediately turn the boat around while police and ambulance crews rushed to the scene.

Yesterday a spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the lady had died aboard the vessel, but added there were no suspicious circumstances.

Officers who boarded the boat spent more than an hour questioning witnesses to the incident, with the body eventually taken off the ship by ambulance shortly after 4.30pm.