Disney Cruise Line confirmed that two guests were rescued from the water by the crew of the Disney Dream after a dramatic incident in which a young girl fell overboard and her father jumped into the ocean to save her. "We commend our crew members for their extraordinary skills and prompt actions that ensured the safe return of both guests within minutes," a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson said, according to Mirror.
The incident occurred on June 29 while the Disney Dream was returning to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a four-night cruise to the Bahamas, which included a stop at Lookout Cay, Disney's private island. Witnesses reported that the girl was posing for a photo when she slipped and fell from the fourth deck into the sea. Her father jumped in after her, prompting an immediate rescue response from the crew.
According to Mirror, shortly after an emergency 'Man Overboard' alert was sounded, crew members lowered a rescue boat into the water and threw life rings, swiftly executing their rescue plan.
Videos of the rescue operation circulated on social media, showing passengers cheering and crying in relief as both the father and daughter were pulled from the water. "That father is a hero. He jumped in without hesitation for his child," one passenger expressed admiration for the father's actions.
"The ship was moving fast, very fast; it's incredible how quickly people became little dots in the sea, and then they disappeared from sight," passenger Laura Amador described to CBS News. "We saw them; you could see two little dots... it was crazy, it was horrible," another passenger, Gar Frantz, told NBC News.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud scream followed by shouting as the girl fell into the ocean. "It was as loud as if someone was hitting the pavement," an eyewitness described the sound of the father's dive, according to Gazet van Antwerpen.
The captain immediately slowed the ship and turned it around, deploying a rescue boat to pick up the two guests in the water. The crew's quick and efficient response was praised by both passengers and Disney officials.
"Our crew has passed all necessary checks, and the safety systems meet the highest standards," Disney Cruise Line stated.
While no serious injuries were reported, the emotional aftermath for the affected family and witnesses will certainly be felt for a long time. The identities of the father and daughter have not been disclosed, and Disney has not released further details about how exactly the child fell into the water.
The Disney Dream, a $900 million cruise ship designed for family-friendly trips, was carrying around 4,000 passengers on board. While it is uncommon for passengers to fall from cruise ships, such incidents, when they do occur, often have tragic outcomes. In 2019, 25 people fell overboard from cruise ships, with only nine recovered, according to a report cited by BBC News.
Passengers shared their experiences on social media, expressing relief and gratitude for the successful rescue. "Oh my God, this man is a hero. He jumped in to save his girl. He's a hero, he's a hero, that man is a hero," said passenger Tracy Robinson-Hughes.
"Before most people could even realize what was happening, the situation was over. It happened so fast," reported another passenger, Shannon Lindholm.
The preparation of this article relied on a news-analysis system.