A harrowing moment unfolded aboard a Disney cruise ship on Sunday afternoon when a young girl fell overboard from the fourth deck — prompting her father to immediately jump in after her in a desperate attempt to save her.
The vessel, identified as the Disney Dream, was en route from the Bahamas to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during a four-day sailing around the islands. The ship was carrying approximately 4,000 passengers at the time of the incident.
Passengers Witness Shocking Fall and Heroic Rescue
Eyewitnesses said the girl was posing for a photo near a railing when she suddenly fell into the sea. Without hesitation, her father leapt into the ocean after her. The incident triggered a “man overboard” alert across the ship’s public announcement system, prompting an immediate response from the crew.
Videos taken by passengers show fellow guests applauding as both the father and daughter were eventually pulled to safety by a rescue boat after treading water for nearly 10 minutes.
Quick Crew Response Praised
Passenger Laura Amador, who witnessed the dramatic scene, told CBS News that the ship was moving swiftly when the fall occurred.
“It was unbelievable how fast they disappeared into the distance. They were just tiny dots in the ocean before vanishing from sight,” she said.
Amador recounted how the ship was slowed and turned around, and a tender boat was launched to retrieve the pair.
“We saw the rescue boat go out and bring them both back aboard safely,” she added.
Disney Confirms Successful Rescue
In an official statement, Disney Cruise Line confirmed the successful recovery of the two guests, though no specific details were shared about how the incident occurred.
“The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water,” a spokesperson said. “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.”
Conclusion
The Disney cruise ship overboard incident has drawn attention to safety protocols aboard family-oriented cruises. Thanks to the quick actions of the ship’s crew and the bravery of the father, a potentially tragic situation was avoided. Both individuals were reportedly in stable condition after the rescue.
