Ferry passengers endured more than 10 hours trapped aboard a vessel at Dover port on Tuesday after police swooped to arrest a suspect in connection with a fatal stabbing outside an East London Wetherspoons.
The DFDS ship Cote d'Opale was forced to return to Dover shortly after departing for Calais as Metropolitan Police officers conducted their operation.
A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murdering Tyler Hayward in Waltham Forest.
The arrest followed Sunday evening's fatal attack outside the Wetherspoons on Chingford Mount Road.
The DFDS ship Cote d'Opale was forced to return to Dover shortly after departing for Calais as Metropolitan Police officers conducted their operation
PA
Emergency services found a 26-year-old man with a chest wound.
Despite efforts from responders, Hayward was pronounced dead at the scene.
Helen Burdall, travelling with her husband and three children for a 10-day French holiday, was among those caught up in the police operation.
She told KentOnline the boat departed about 30 minutes behind schedule.
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Tyler Hayward was stabbed to death outside a Wetherspoons on Sunday
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Burdall said: "We weren't given any information other than they were apparently looking for somebody criminal."
Twenty minutes into the crossing, the vessel turned back to Dover.
"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."
Burdall noted that staff provided food and water to passengers during the lengthy delay.
The arrest followed Sunday evening's fatal attack outside the Wetherspoons on Chingford Mount Road
Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Woodsford, 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."
Tyler's family released a statement: "We are struggling with the tragic loss of Tyler, a beautiful soul with the kindest of hearts.
"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."
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