Police contradict reports that child fell into sea along with its mother in Belfast Lough on Wednesday night
Coastgurds search the coast of Belfast Lough, where a baby was believed to have fallen from a ferry. Photograph: Paul Faith/PA
Northern Ireland police say there was no baby on board the Belfast ferry a woman fell off last night.
It had been reported that a child, believed to be only a few days old, had fallen into the sea along with its mother from a Stena Line ferry on route into Belfast Lough on Wednesday night.
The woman was recovered from the water after about 15 minutes by crew from the ferry's pilot boat and was treated at Belfast's Royal Victoria hospital.
The passenger who raised the alarm later cast doubt on the reports that there was a child with her, saying he did not see a child fall into the water.
He told the Belfast News Letter that he did spot an empty pram close to the area on the Stena Line boat where the woman went into the sea.
"I was on the same side of the ferry at the time, but was looking in the other direction when I heard the splash," he said.
"When I looked around, I could see a person in the water, but I couldn't tell if it was a woman or a man, from where I was at.
"But I definitely could not see a baby in the water.
"I ran straight into the desk and raised the alarm, that there was a man overboard."
He added: "I have heard reports on the news that a baby was seen falling into the water. I don't know think anyone witnessed it, but I couldn't see a baby.
"There was a empty pram on the deck with a mobile phone in it, but I don't know who owned it."
He also praised the staff of the Stena Line vessel who he said stopped the boat almost immediately and radioed for help from a passing pilot boat.
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