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“Dad Is No Hero”: After 5YO Girl Falls From Disney Cruise Ship, Eyewitnesses Break Silence
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: your child falls overboard on a cruise ship.
That’s what happened when a family was on a Disney cruise and their child suddenly fell into the water.
Witnesses describe a horrific sound, then bloodcurdling screams.
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The 5-year-old fell while on a Disney cruise returning from the Bahamas
Image credits: disneycruise.disney.go.com
Image credits: Christian Lambert / Unsplash
Highlights
- A man jumped into the water from a Disney Cruise ship to save his daughter
- The five year old fell from a railing on Deck 4 of the Disney Dream cruiseliner
- Netizens are both praising the father for his heroism, as well as blaming him for not doing more to watch her
The terror unfolded on Sunday, June 29th, on the return leg of a four-day cruise to the Bahamas.
A little girl and her family were on Deck 4 of the Disney Dream, one of six ships owned by the Disney Cruise Line Group.
That’s when a child suddenly fell overboard.
According to officials from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the girl is 5 years old and was alone on the railing when she tipped over and hit the water.
“He wanted to take a picture, and she fell off”: Witnesses describe the scene
Image credits: GlobalNews / Reddit
A passenger named Gar Frantz told local media what they witnessed.
“She was sitting on the rail, and he wanted to take a picture, and she fell off,” Frantz said.
“We were just on that deck. And then you saw them throwing, like, life jackets over the sides and stuff.”
Image credits: Janice Martin-Asuque / Facebook
A member of the crew told another passenger that “the little girl was in an area she wasn’t supposed to be in, and she fell.”
A few moments later, her father did what any parent would do in that moment: he jumped in after her.
The girl’s father is being hailed a hero after jumping in to save her
Image credits: Cruising for Happy People / Facebook
In what rescuers are calling a heroic move, the girl’s father quickly got in the water with his child.
Witnesses describe chilling screams from the girl’s mother and a loud crashing sound.
Shortly after, members of the crew began mobilizing into action.
Image credits: YOOPERIPA / X
The emergency code for man overboard- “M.O.B.”- began blaring from the ship’s intercom.
Then, a smaller yellow boat with four rescuers launched from the cruise ship into the ocean to retrieve the father and daughter.
The rescue team from the cruise ship is also praised for their actions
@lifeofchandler OVERBOARD Rescue on Disney Dream. 2 passengers overboard between Nassau and Grand Bahama #disney#cruise#overboard#cruisetok#mob#cruiseship#disneycruise#disneydream♬ original sound – Chandler Sphynx
Witnesses told local TV news outlets that the ship was traveling fast, and that the pair were soon just dots on the horizon.
After treading water while holding his daughter for about 20 minutes, the pair was brought aboard the rescue ship.
The cruise liner, meanwhile, made a U-turn to recover the rescue ship.
Image credits: Gar Frantz / Facebook
The statement from Disney Cruise Line 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.”
The statement continued: “We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
“It was pretty traumatizing”: Other passengers describe their experience
Image credits: Nikki Samsill Jackson / Facebook
But what really happened remains a mystery.
One passenger told the Daily Mail it was her first time on a cruise ship, and perhaps her last.
‘It was my first cruise ever, and it was pretty traumatizing trying to wrap my head around it,’ Nikki Samsill Jackson told the DM.
Image credits: Facebook
Another passenger named Monica Shannon, who was on Deck 3 at the time, said she saw something fly past unexpectedly, but didn’t think much of it.
When she realized what had happened, she asked a crew member for more details.
The crew member told Shannon that the little girl had been climbing on the plexiglass barriers that protect the railing while her parents played shuffleboard.
Police say an investigation is ongoing.
Statistics show that the majority of people who go overboard are not rescued alive
Image credits: Shannon Pechacek Lindholm / Facebook
@cmd.91 Today, while on the Disney Dream, we witnessed nothing short of a miracle. We were in our stateroom when we heard “Mr MOB, Mr MOB, Mr MOB… port side”. My husband ran to the balcony because he understood that meant there was a man overboard. Immediately, my heart started racing, and I began a constant prayer. Disney acted quick as they tossed out multiple life preserver rings, slowed the ship, and began turning as they prepared the small boat to go out for a rescue. As we watched the whole thing go down and I zoomed in, I realized there wasn’t one… but two people in the water. We watched as the boat got to them, and I was even more surprised when I saw them pull up a little girl (we heard she was only 5 years old) onto the boat. Followed by who we assume is her father. This man jumped in after her and helped her stay afloat for at least 20 minutes while the rescue team pulled off a rescue I will never forget. God was in this story from the beginning. It happened during the day, while we were cruising very slowly, in very calm seas. I’m so thankful both the man and the little girl are safe. And for anyone who wants to judge how something like this happens, it can happen in the blink of an eye. There is zero judgment from me, just so much relief and praise. I can’t imagine how exhausted and in shock both of these people are. If you do go on a cruise in the future and have a balcony, please don’t let your kids be unattended outside and keep the furniture away from the edge. #disneydream#rescue#overboard#godisinthisstory#praise#cruise♬ Goodness of God (Instrumental) – The Worship Initiative Instrumentals & The Worship Initiative
The ship has emergency response and detection procedures to prevent similar situations.
According to an article in USA Today, Disney’s ships are equipped with technology that could include “thermal cameras and micro radars,” which help detect when people go overboard.
Unfortunately, even with the technology, instances of people falling or jumping overboard on a cruise ship tend to not end well.
The USA Today article says that there were “212 overboard incidents involving passengers and crew around the world from 2009 to 2019.”
However, a mere 48 people were rescued.
“I bet the father feels terrible.”: Some netizens have sympathy for the family
Image credits: Cruising for Happy People / Facebook
Because most ‘man overboard’ scenarios don’t end well, the father has been both praised for his quick actions and derided for not paying better attention to what his child was doing.
“I bet the father feels terrible. I’m glad they’re ok,” one person said.
Other people noted the split-second decision the father made, saying they would have done the same.
Image credits: Raintarget / YouTube
And as for the Disney cruise ship staff?
Netizens also heralded them for their bravery, with one person saying that all the “annoying training” does, in fact, sometimes pay off.
“What a miracle!, said one person
Some netizens say the girl who fell from a Disney Cruise ship should have been better monitored
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Robin Lynn 5 months ago
Father put his daughter in a dangerous situation. He is not a hero. Thanks to the crew members that executed the proper protocols and returned everyone to safety.
Karri Berkowitz 5 months ago
Omg thank you! My co workers are looking at me like I’m crazy for saying the parents should b brought up on charges.
Tams21 5 months ago
All parents screw up sometimes but the potential consequence should never be the death of their child. Hopefully this was just a one off and the dad got the scare of his life but it's absolutely right it gets investigated in case his wasn't the first time he was so careless.
KatSaidWhat 5 months ago
Father who wasn't watching child who climbed on railings decided to take a picture and then is hailed a hero when said kid in dangerous spot falls overboard and he has to save her life. Yeah, sorry - this is not heroism, this is getting yourself out of an entirely preventable situation with possible fatal consequences...
XenoMurph 5 months ago (edited)
Agreed, but... fair play for the save. We have all done something stupid with our kids. Thankfully it's rarely this stupid. But he jumped into the ocean.... I'd not trust him with my kids, but I'd shake his hand and buy him a beer.
Load More Replies...
LouLou Bella 5 months ago
I have worked on DCL, the training we go through is very extensive and we do refreshers throughout our contracts. There is an employee wide drill every week and extra for those who are assigned to life boats. My hat goes off to the employees that acted quickly and it goes to show that missing your sleep in, to train is worth it.
Taylor's Ferry 5 months ago
Remember the grandfather who held his grandchild out over the open water and lost his grip, dropping the child overboard? The child died. https://share.google/SwQIyGwBQefGVlZir
Beth Wheeler 5 months ago
Yeah, I remember that & it was an idiotic thing to do and he killed his grandchild.
Load More Replies...
Deborah B 5 months ago
It's unclear whether the parents are at fault or not. A five year old climbed a railing. She shouldn't have, but that doesn't mean the parents "let" her. You can look away for two minutes, and the kid does something they know they aren't supposed to. Even if it was a case of "I'll just take a quick photo while she sits on the railing" it may have seemed safe enough. People sit or lean on walls, railings, and barriers all the time. Possibly no one would have thought it was irresponsible if she hadn't fallen. After she fell, the parents did the best they could do - one jumped after her, while the other called for help and alerted the crew. Whatever mistakes they may have made, that Dad reacted quickly and decisively, risked his life for the chance of saving his child, and succeeded. How about we give him credit for what he did right, and withhold blame for what they might have done wrong until the investigation is finished?
El Dee 5 months ago
He is both a hero and an idiot. Idiot for the obvious reasons but, as I have been told, if you fall off a cruise ship at sea the chances for rescue are slim to none. I'm sure all passengers would be aware of that, as would this dad when he jumped in after her. ie he would have had to assume he would die with her and that he was merely keeping her company until that happened..
dxsyrjyjgv 5 months ago
No matter how closely kids are watched, accidents can still happen. I doubt the man put the kid on the railing. Either way, I’m sure he feels horrible and good for him to jump in after her. Shame on all the people coming down on him. I’m sure there are plenty of those parents that have made mistakes raising their children. Glass houses, people!
Emery Walters 5 months ago
Mom was right there too. Hey I turned around once and saw my five year old halfway up the outside of a brick building. Kids are fast.
ChickyChicky 5 months ago
The picture of the worker holding the little girl is very touching. I bet she never could have imagined being in such a situation.
Uncle Panda 5 months ago (edited)
I practiced assorted martial arts for about 20 years and saw maybe ~20 pure moments where every motion was perfect for that moment. I was canoeing with a large group of families. A 4 year old popped out of the canoe and her mother instantly stood and stepped out of the canoe and into the water to get her kid. It was the purest, cleanest motion, exactly right for that moment. It was no different than the other perfect martial moments.
Jamie Warren 5 months ago
Well, Dad sure gave his daughter a memory to never forget. Safety rails are there for safety not photo opportunities. He fail as a father!
marianne eliza 5 months ago
The child was actually sitting in one of those portholes you can see in the pic.
Becky Samuel 5 months ago
Once again, the rabid parent-blame-game is being played out with zero actual knowledge of what occurred. Does it make you all feel big and clever to bully strangers online when they've been through a traumatic experience?
Robin Lynn 5 months ago
Father put his daughter in a dangerous situation. He is not a hero. Thanks to the crew members that executed the proper protocols and returned everyone to safety.
Karri Berkowitz 5 months ago
Omg thank you! My co workers are looking at me like I’m crazy for saying the parents should b brought up on charges.
Tams21 5 months ago
All parents screw up sometimes but the potential consequence should never be the death of their child. Hopefully this was just a one off and the dad got the scare of his life but it's absolutely right it gets investigated in case his wasn't the first time he was so careless.
KatSaidWhat 5 months ago
Father who wasn't watching child who climbed on railings decided to take a picture and then is hailed a hero when said kid in dangerous spot falls overboard and he has to save her life. Yeah, sorry - this is not heroism, this is getting yourself out of an entirely preventable situation with possible fatal consequences...
XenoMurph 5 months ago (edited)
Agreed, but... fair play for the save. We have all done something stupid with our kids. Thankfully it's rarely this stupid. But he jumped into the ocean.... I'd not trust him with my kids, but I'd shake his hand and buy him a beer.
Load More Replies... LouLou Bella 5 months ago
I have worked on DCL, the training we go through is very extensive and we do refreshers throughout our contracts. There is an employee wide drill every week and extra for those who are assigned to life boats. My hat goes off to the employees that acted quickly and it goes to show that missing your sleep in, to train is worth it.
Taylor's Ferry 5 months ago
Remember the grandfather who held his grandchild out over the open water and lost his grip, dropping the child overboard? The child died. https://share.google/SwQIyGwBQefGVlZir
Beth Wheeler 5 months ago
Yeah, I remember that & it was an idiotic thing to do and he killed his grandchild.
Load More Replies... Deborah B 5 months ago
It's unclear whether the parents are at fault or not. A five year old climbed a railing. She shouldn't have, but that doesn't mean the parents "let" her. You can look away for two minutes, and the kid does something they know they aren't supposed to. Even if it was a case of "I'll just take a quick photo while she sits on the railing" it may have seemed safe enough. People sit or lean on walls, railings, and barriers all the time. Possibly no one would have thought it was irresponsible if she hadn't fallen. After she fell, the parents did the best they could do - one jumped after her, while the other called for help and alerted the crew. Whatever mistakes they may have made, that Dad reacted quickly and decisively, risked his life for the chance of saving his child, and succeeded. How about we give him credit for what he did right, and withhold blame for what they might have done wrong until the investigation is finished?
El Dee 5 months ago
He is both a hero and an idiot. Idiot for the obvious reasons but, as I have been told, if you fall off a cruise ship at sea the chances for rescue are slim to none. I'm sure all passengers would be aware of that, as would this dad when he jumped in after her. ie he would have had to assume he would die with her and that he was merely keeping her company until that happened..
dxsyrjyjgv 5 months ago
No matter how closely kids are watched, accidents can still happen. I doubt the man put the kid on the railing. Either way, I’m sure he feels horrible and good for him to jump in after her. Shame on all the people coming down on him. I’m sure there are plenty of those parents that have made mistakes raising their children. Glass houses, people!
Emery Walters 5 months ago
Mom was right there too. Hey I turned around once and saw my five year old halfway up the outside of a brick building. Kids are fast.
ChickyChicky 5 months ago
The picture of the worker holding the little girl is very touching. I bet she never could have imagined being in such a situation.
Uncle Panda 5 months ago (edited)
I practiced assorted martial arts for about 20 years and saw maybe ~20 pure moments where every motion was perfect for that moment. I was canoeing with a large group of families. A 4 year old popped out of the canoe and her mother instantly stood and stepped out of the canoe and into the water to get her kid. It was the purest, cleanest motion, exactly right for that moment. It was no different than the other perfect martial moments.
Jamie Warren 5 months ago
Well, Dad sure gave his daughter a memory to never forget. Safety rails are there for safety not photo opportunities. He fail as a father!
marianne eliza 5 months ago
The child was actually sitting in one of those portholes you can see in the pic.
Becky Samuel 5 months ago
Once again, the rabid parent-blame-game is being played out with zero actual knowledge of what occurred. Does it make you all feel big and clever to bully strangers online when they've been through a traumatic experience?
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