Brit, 65, dies suddenly while on board tourist boat with family in Madeira

10 December 2023 , 08:52

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An unnamed man has died on a boat in Madeira, with an autopsy set to be carried out (Image: SOLARPIX.COM)

A Brit tourist has suddenly died while on board a tourist boat with his family in Madeira following a "sudden illness".

Members of the Funchal Maritime Police Local Command confirmed the news of the 65-year-old man's death, who has not been named at this time. He was on board the recreational vessel in the capital of Funchal when he died suddenly around 2pm local time yesterday afternoon.

Emergency responders were on hand as part of a rapid intervention medical team but unfortunately the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police psychologists are now offering their expertise to members of the grieving family, whose loved one suffered a "sudden health problem" according to police.

The unnamed man was taken ill on board a vessel and died around 2pm (SOLARPIX.COM)

A post-mortem will now take place to determine the cause of death. It was not immediately clear if the British man had just got on board the boat and was about to go out to sea when the tragedy happened or was returning after the excursion. Portugal’s Nacional Maritime Authority said in a statement late yesterday: "A 65-year-old British man died this afternoon after suffering a sudden health problem on board a tourist boat in Funchal on the island of Madeira.

"The alarm was raised by Civil Protection workers at 2.14pm. Funchal Marina officials alerted the Maritime Police and an EMIR rapid intervention medical response team was mobilised. The victims was assisted by emergency responders but his death couldn’t be avoided. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his body taken to Funchal’s Forensic Medicine Institute.

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"Police psychologists were activated and are currently supporting relatives of the victim. The local branch of the Maritime Police in Funchal has taken charge of the incident." Further updates confirmed the Funchal Maritime Police Local Command "took charge of the incident" which left the 65-year-old Brit man dead.

Ewan Gleadow