PORT EVERGLADES, FLA. (WSVN) - A luxurious vacation at sea turned harrowing after a little girl fell overboard a Disney cruise ship. Her father, without hesitation, made the daring dive, jumping into danger to rescue her.
According to initial reports, a little girl fell off of Deck Four on Sunday as the Disney Dream ship was making its way toward Florida. The girl’s father jumped after her, sparking the ship’s alarms.
While it hasn’t been confirmed how the girl fell, some witnesses say she may have been posing for a photo or climbing the railing while playing a game.
Witnesses spoke to 7News after the Disney Dream arrived back at port in Fort Lauderdale.
“I just saw a bunch of the staff running outside on the fourth-floor deck, and I figured that something had happened,” said Gail Merrick. “So we went back to our room and watched from the balcony, and we were able to see the rescue boat immediately go into the water. It’s amazing how fast they moved into action. I was very impressed by that.”
“They threw in life preservers, and we couldn’t see. It was crazy. We couldn’t see the people,” said another woman. “The captain slowed the ship, turned it around, and then they deployed a tender ship with people on there to go get them.”
Monica Shannon and her family were on the third floor inside the boat, one floor below the father and his daughter, when she saw something outside.
“I saw something and it was fast and it, like, kind of went like that. So, I didn’t think it was, you know, a person falling off the ship,” said Shannon.
She said she isn’t completely sure what she saw, but a short time later, she said her family was told someone had fallen into the water.
“One of the Disney staff members said that she was, the family, was playing shuffleboard, they were engaging with that. I guess the little girl was just being playful and climbing on the railing and flew off,” said Shannon.
That’s when her family went back into their room to see what was happening from their balcony.
“He looked exhausted and he looked like he was just in the ocean rescue trying to rescue his daughter. It was very scary, I can’t imagine,” said Shannon.
Part of the rescue was captured on camera and posted to social media, showcasing the moments Disney Cruise Line employees deployed a rescue boat to eventually rescue them from the open water.
“He’s a hero,” said a witness who recorded the swift rescue of the father and daughter. “That’s a dad that needs to be called a hero.”
The pair was seen being brought back to the ship. The little girl was held by a crew member and the father, in red, visibly relieved.
Those who saw the rescue operation said the father and daughter treaded water for 20 minutes, but praised the employees who quickly jumped into action.
“The ship immediately stopped, they immediately marked the spot, they threw the safety vests in the water. It was all very, very fast and they got to them as fast as they could,” said Shannon.
“It took a minute to get to them because of the water, but they rescued them and brought them back in,” said Tracy Robinson-Hughes. “Everybody was able to watch on the boat, and everybody cheered.”
“They were very efficient,” said another woman. “We saw them pull the dad and the daughter out of the water after a couple of minutes.”
In response to this incident, a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson told 7News in a statement:
“The crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water. 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. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
The Disney Dream docked at Port Everglades early Monday morning. Both the father and daughter are said to be OK.
Although the two were brought back safely, passengers said they realize this could’ve ended much differently.
“It was terrifying and a good reminder not to let the kids alone on the balcony and never, ever to take a picture on any of the railings, which is what we heard happened,” said Stephanie King.
“I had goosebumps the whole time, and I don’t think that I breathed until they returned to the ship,” said a witness.
“Thank God she’s OK and thank God, you know, he was able to get her,” said Shannon. “I think that he is a hero. I think he definitely saved her life.”
The incident remains under investigation.
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