The police have confirmed a male passenger on this afternoon’s Heysham to Douglas sailing has died after taking ill onboard.

The man was said to be from England and aged 67.

A police statement said that a Coastguard helicopter was dispatched to meet the vessel as it approached the island and emergency services were in hand in Douglas.

However the police said ‘despite the best efforts of all concerned’ the man died.

Officers confirmed there will be no further information released at this time.