A five-year-old girl fell overboard from a Disney cruise ship and slipped through the ship’s porthole into the water below, clearing up some misconceptions that suggested her father had caused a dramatic plunge.
The incident took place at around 11:30 AM on June 29, while the girl was sitting on the railing on Deck 4 of the Disney Dream, as her parents enjoyed a game of shuffleboard nearby.
She suddenly disappeared through an open porthole, as stated by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, according to CBS Miami.
While the girl’s father, 37, initially didn’t see her fall, her mother alerted him.
He jumped into the ocean to help rescue his daughter, and both of them fought to stay afloat for approximately 20 minutes until the rescue team arrived.
Authorities provided early details to correct online rumors claiming that the father had been holding his daughter on the railing at the time of the fall.
The family’s description of the event was confirmed by security footage from the ship and accounts from crew members who witnessed the incident.
“This family is very lucky,” noted the Sheriff’s Office. “It’s a relief to report good news rather than what could have been a tragic outcome.”
When the vessel’s captain called for a search, the ship was traveling between the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale.
Deck 4, where the fall occurred, was reportedly less busy than other decks and featured the shuffleboard court, as shared by another passenger. Protective barriers were in place, but a passenger mentioned there were gaps that could potentially allow someone to slip through.
The details surrounding the open porthole and how the girl fell remain unclear.
Officials praised the swift actions of the rescue team during the incident.
“From what I’ve gathered, the Disney crew was exceptionally prepared. Their training evidently facilitated a successful rescue operation,” said the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Both the father and daughter were treated aboard the ship before being taken to a local hospital. The father was admitted for evaluation, though it hasn’t been disclosed whether he sustained any injuries during the daring rescue.
