Investigators released more information on the near-death of a five-year-old child who fell into the ocean on June 29 from the Disney Dream’s fourth-story deck. Her father immediately followed her into the water, managing to keep her from drowning until rescue boats arrived.
Below are further details from this cruise ship accident.
Child fell backward through porthole
According to the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the agency investigating the accident, the child was sitting unrestrained on a railing when she toppled back through the porthole and into the sea. Her parents witnessed her fall, and her father sprang into immediate action.
He went over the railing and entered the water to save her. He was able to grab her and tread water for approximately 20 minutes until rescuers arrived.
Survival rate low for overboard cases
Cruise industry experts familiar with survival rates of overboard passengers noted that roughly only a quarter of passengers who fall from ships into the sea survive. That the father was nearby and observed by other passengers jumping from the rail after his daughter likely accounted for the swift rescue and survival.
Barrier didn’t stop plunge
Disney Cruise ship Dream and others in its line all have Plexiglas barriers over windows and portholes to deter overboard falls. It’s not entirely clear why this safety method failed for the five-year-old girl.
If you suffered injuries on a cruise ship due to the safety lapses of the liner, you may want to learn more about your options for pursuing financial compensation for those injuries, losses and other damages.