A father has recounted the harrowing experience of jumping off a Disney Cruise to rescue his daughter after she fell overboard, but he says he lost sight of her in the waves, according to police reports. The incident unfolded on the Disney Dream ship on Sunday, June 29, during its return journey to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., following a four-night cruise to the Bahamas. The 5-year-old girl plummeted 49 feet into the ocean, prompting her father to leap after her. Rescue crews managed to retrieve both individuals from the water, ensuring their safe return to the ship.
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The newly obtained police reports from Florida’s Broward County Sheriff’s Office and the Broward County State Attorney’s office shed light on the circumstances leading up to the incident. Allegedly, the girl’s mother had encouraged her to pose for a photo near an open porthole. As the child sat on the railing, she lost her balance and fell backwards into the water. The mother believed there was a cover for the opening behind the railing, adding a tragic twist to the unforeseen accident.
From his hospital room at Broward Health Medical Center, the father relayed the events to investigators in intricate detail. The family had been strolling on deck 4 when the mother paused to capture a snapshot of their daughter perched on the railing. Being about 10 feet ahead, the father missed witnessing the fall. It was his wife’s scream that alerted him to the situation, with him soon spotting his daughter in the water. Despite facing challenges in locating her amidst the waves, he managed to reach her and stay afloat until they were rescued.
In an emotional recount to detective Christopher Favitta, the father expressed his struggle to spot his daughter due to the tumultuous waters. Resorting to calling out her name, he eventually heard her respond, guiding him towards her location. The little girl was found conscious and conversing, without any flotation devices despite efforts to provide some from the ship. Their survival amid such a precarious situation left the father both surprised and relieved, underscoring the intensity of the ordeal.
Man overboard incidents are infrequent yet pose severe risks, with survival rates typically low. According to data from the Cruise Lines International Association, covering the period from 2009 to 2019, only a small fraction of such incidents resulted in successful rescues. The father and daughter duo’s ability to endure the circumstances and emerge relatively unscathed from the episode showcases a rare case of survival in such circumstances.
Following a medical evaluation by Dr. Chante Charles, the ship’s lead doctor, it was determined that the girl exhibited signs of mild hypothermia and minor lactic acidosis. She received medical attention at the ship’s medical center for nine hours. Meanwhile, the father was diagnosed with hypothermia, lactic acidosis, and a suspected spinal fracture, later confirmed by a local hospital. The narrative of their survival against the odds serves as a reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can arise even amidst seemingly safe environments.
Ultimately, the State Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute the case or charge the mother with child negligence. Assistant state attorney Melissa Kelly highlighted the absence of critical evidence to establish criminal culpable negligence, ultimately leading to the decision. Disney, while refraining from commenting on the matter, acknowledged and commended the swift actions of their crew members in ensuring the safe return of the distressed passengers to the ship. The exemplary response underlines the critical role played by trained personnel in averting potential tragedies at sea.