AUTHORITIES in the UK are not investigating the suicide of a passenger who leapt to his death from his cabin on the liner Queen Mary 2.

German pensioner Gerd Koch, 82, plunged 100ft from the ship after boarding in Southampton last Saturday.

The liner's skipper searched unsuccessfully all night for Mr Koch. Weather conditions were stormy. Mr Koch had paid extra for a cabin with a balcony overlooking the ocean on the six-day voyage to New York.

He left a suicide note at his home in Germany, which was found by his wife.