Police have revealed how a young girl managed to fall overboard on a Disney Dream cruise last month, prompting her father to dive in after her.
On 29 June it was reported that a young child had fallen overboard on the cruise as it sailed between the Caribbean islands and Florida, with terrified guests filming the aftermath of the situation.
The case made headlines after it was revealed that her quick-thinking father dived into the sea moments later to rescue her. Fortunately the man's brave decision paid off, as he was able to reach his daughter and successfully tread water while waiting for a rescue tender to pick them up.
A spokesperson for Disney later confirmed that both father and daughter were successfully returned to the ship 'within minutes' of the incident happening and praised staff for their reaction, which 'ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship'.
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However, questions remained over how the five-year-old had managed to fall into the water in the first place, with CBS reporting that Disney Dream cruises have plexiglass safety barriers on its decks in order to ensure the safety of young passengers.
Broward Sheriff’s Office has since released an update on the situation, confirming that the girl fell backwards through a porthole while sitting on the boat's railings.
"The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 29, on deck 4 of a Disney cruise ship, while the ship was in international waters somewhere between the Bahamas and Port Everglades," the statement read.
"Broward Sheriff's Office detectives continue to investigate the moments before a 5-year-old girl lost her balance while sitting on a railing and falling backward through a porthole.
"After the girl's mother alerted her husband, who didn't see the incident, he jumped into the ocean to save his daughter."
The statement went on to add the pair were back out the water and being checked over by medical staff within 20 minutes of the girl falling overboard.
"The crew's 'man overboard' training and readiness paid off because they executed a successful ocean rescue," the update continued.
"Once rescued, the father and daughter were checked out by the ship's medical staff."
Upon the ship returning to port in Port Everglades, Florida, it was revealed the father - who has not been named by authorities - was transferred to a local hospital for treatment, with police adding that they wouldn't be releasing any further details about the family or the father's injury in order to protect their privacy.
An investigation into the incident continues, with police adding: "This family is so blessed. It's great to be able to respond to good news rather than what could have been a tragic outcome."
Topics: Cruise Ship, Travel, US News, Disney
Brenna Cooper