FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A father reportedly jumped off a Disney Cruise Line ship Sunday as it was returning to Port Everglades after his daughter fell overboard.
According to USA Today, the family had been traveling aboard the Disney Dream and were returning to Fort Lauderdale following a four-night cruise to the Bahamas.
6 p.m. report:
A passenger took to social media after the father and daughter were rescued by crewmembers, and said the girl had fallen from the fourth deck.
Local 10 News’ Roy Ramos spoke to passenger Monica Shannon, who said she and her family were taking pictures when she watched as the girl fell overboard.
“They were playing shuffleboard, so it was on the fourth floor,” she said. “I think the parents were playing and the little girl was climbing up on the railing and went (over), flew off.”
Video obtained by Local 10 News shows rescue crews arriving and pulling the two to safety after some scary moments in the water.
“She didn’t know how to swim and the dad couldn’t find her at first,” said Shannon.
Cruise expert Stewart Chiron said it is rare for someone to go overboard, given safety measures cruise lines take to prevent this from happening.
“They have the railings, so there is an industry standard as far as the height of the railings,” he said. “And unlike other cruise lines, there’s plexiglass along the railings to prevent young kids from sticking their arms out, throwing toys out into the water.”
Chiron said cameras on deck likely captured what happened.
“There are closed circuit TV cameras,” he said. “There’s overman, overboard detection systems, warning signs, the railings, like the plexiglass below the railings to protect the young ones.”
“The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water,” a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson told Local 10 News in a statement Monday. “We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
The spokesperson did not confirm how the girl fell overboard. Her age was also not immediately released.
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