Northumbria Police say 40-year-old Tanya Yvonne Little, from Gosforth, is still missing after falling from a DFDS ferry on its way to Holland from North Shields.

A male friend of the woman who was with Ms Little on the ship has suffered a nervous breakdown, according to Dutch police.

The un-named man was taken to Ijmuiden hospital after the Queen of Scandanavia docked at the Dutch port.

We talked to some Dutch passengers on the ferry who had been with the couple and they said a lot of drink had been consumed

Dutch police spokesman

A Dutch police spokesman said the man, thought to be 40 years old, is unable to speak and is suffering severe shock after the tragedy.

A search for Ms Little was called off late on Wednesday after she fell overboard at 0230 BST as the DFDS ferry was traveling to Holland.

The Dutch police spokesman said they may ask Northumbria Police to take charge of the investigation as the incident happened in British waters.

Ms Little fell into the sea about 55 miles north east of Cromer, Norfolk.

Family liaison

The Dutch spokesman said: "The captain of the ferry asked that Dutch police come onboard to conduct a temporary investigation.

"Unfortunately we have been unable to talk to the male friend of the woman because he has suffered a nervous breakdown and is not able to speak.

"We talked to some Dutch passengers on the ferry who had been with the couple and they said a lot of drink had been consumed."

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said they were acting as family liaison while Dutch officers continued the investigation.

Three vessels and an RAF Sea King helicopter were involved in an eight-hour search for the woman who fell 60-feet into the water.