A container ship bound for New York diverted to Bermuda on Monday night after a medical emergency on board.

But the rescue mission was aborted the next morning after the crew member – a 51-year-old Indian – died.

RCC Bermuda was called at 7.30pm on Monday by a by the MSC Jessenia R, a Liberian-registered container ship, 290 miles south of Bermuda.

A spokesman for RCC Bermuda said: “The vessel was on passage from South Africa bound for New York and intended to arrive offshore at Bermuda late Tuesday morning to transfer the patient.

“Following further consultation with the shipping company, and a US Coast Guard flight surgeon, it was established that the patient’s condition was deteriorating and sadly the crew member passed away while the ship was on route to Bermuda.

“The vessel subsequently continued her passage to New York to repatriate the deceased seafarer.”