A 57-year-old female visitor to Bermuda who drowned while swimming at Horseshoe Bay on Saturday has been named by police as Judy Severe.

She was said to be among several visiting cruise ship passengers who went to the beach in Southampton.

A police spokeswoman said an autopsy had confirmed the cause of death as drowning.

She said Ms Severe had been snorkelling in shallows with others from her group when lifeguards spotted that she had not moved in some time and checked on her, finding her unresponsive.

“Lifeguards pulled her body ashore, where life-saving efforts were attempted by lifeguards and two off-duty nurses, prior to the arrival of emergency services.

“However, she was pronounced dead on arrival at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.”

The statement did not identify a country of origin. Police offered condolences to Mr Severe’s family and friends.