Ferry passengers stranded at UK port for over 10 HOURS due to ‘murder’ arrest
FERRY passengers were stranded at a UK port for over 10 hours on Tuesday as officers made a “murder” arrest.
Following a large police operation in Kent, officers boarded the ship to arrest a suspect in a murder investigation.
Passengers were stranded on the vessel after the operation saw officers force the DFDS ship to return to the Port of Dover on Tuesday morning shortly after departing for Calais.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed a 22-year-old was arrested on Tuesday, July 8, on suspicion of the murder of Tyler Hayward in Waltham Forest.
An investigation was launched after police responded to calls of a stabbing at a Wetherspoons pub on Chingford Mount Road, East London, on Sunday evening.
Met officers responded with paramedics and a 26-year-old man was found with a stab wound to the chest.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Hayward was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
Helen Burdall was among those on the DFDS ship Cote d’Opale after boarding at the Port of Dover along with her family for a 10-day holiday to France.
Burdall, who was travelling with her husband and three children, told KentOnline the boat set off about half an hour after its scheduled departure.
However, 20 minutes into the crossing to Calais, it turned back around to Dover.
“We weren’t given any information other than they were apparently looking for somebody criminal,” she said.
“We were then kept on the boat for more than 10 hours.
“For the first four hours, we were kept upstairs and weren’t allowed to get down to the cars at all.”
She added that her family and passengers were offered food and water by staff during the incident.
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “The thoughts of the investigation team remain with Tyler’s family and our specially trained officers continue to support them at this difficult time.
“Since Sunday we have been making extensive enquiries and this resulted in searches being carried out at the Port of Dover today.
“I’d like to thank Kent Police and other agencies for their support as we carried out these checks, as well as members of the public who were disrupted while this vital work took place.”
In a statement, Tyler’s family said: “We are struggling with the tragic loss of Tyler, a beautiful soul with the kindest of heart’s.
“A much loved son, grandson and brother, that will be missed immensely.
“We would appreciate privacy at this time whilst we come to terms with our loss.”
