Royal Caribbean Cruise Passenger Falls Over Edge of Infinity Pool
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A viral video caught the moment a cruise ship passenger fell over the edge of an infinity pool, hit a railing, and bounced back to land on a narrow strip of guttering.
Footage showed the swimmer leaning extremely far over the glass edge before losing balance and toppling onto the pool's guttering below. Had the person fallen over the gutter itself, they would have plummeted several stories to a children's swimming area on a much lower deck.
However, the passenger was unharmed, and the Icon of the Seas ship, which is owned by Royal Caribbean, returned as scheduled from a trip to the Bahamas to its home port of Miami, Florida.
Why It Matters
The near miss at the infinity pool is likely to raise fresh safety fears among passengers and spark security discussions between the cruise liner's bosses.
It's also a fresh PR blow for Royal Caribbean, as the clip was shared just days after the same ship saw an onboard stabbing and an overboard fatality. The female staff member was repeatedly stabbed, allegedly by a male co-worker, who then plunged over the side of the ship to his death. The woman was hospitalized and said to be in a stable condition after the attack on Thursday.
Another of the company's cruise ships, Navigator of the Seas, was a hit with a sickness outbreak that saw 140 people fall ill earlier this month.
What To Know
Now, footage of the fall at the infinity pool has gone viral after it was shared by the popular Instagram account @onlyinflorida, where it was viewed tens of thousands of times.
Almost 66,000 viewers had liked the video within just one day of it being posted online.
The video shows a passenger leaning over the side of the ship's infinity pool. They dangle precipitously over the glass edge of the pool, with only their legs and feet visible, raised clear of the water.
The swimmer, who was trying to retrieve their fallen sunglasses, waves a hand in the air behind them before losing their balance and tipping forward over the edge of the pool in a front flip.
Their whole body rotates, and their back appears to hit the safety railing on the narrow strip of the pool's gutter below. They then bounce back to safety by landing on the guttering itself.
There are several conflicting accounts of the incident. Some media outlets, such as People, describe the swimmer as a man, while others, such as cruisepassenger.com, report that it was a woman who fell.
Mail Online quoted an unnamed guest who said that the swimmer was subsequently "confined to his room" until the ship docked in Miami. It is also unclear exactly when and where in the voyage the incident took place.
Newsweek reached out to Royal Caribbean for clarification, but the company responded with a statement only confirming that the incident took place.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas pictured on February 3, 2024, in waters off Miami, Florida. The infinity pool can be seen linking two upper terraces.
Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas pictured on February 3, 2024, in waters off Miami, Florida. The infinity pool can be seen linking two upper terraces.What People Are Saying
@onlyinflorida captioned the clip: "Another incident on board the 'Icon of the Seas.' A passenger fell over the edge of the infinity pool located on Deck 15 onto the deck below. No other injuries were reported. The 'Icon of the Seas' returned back to its home port in Miami, Florida after the two incidents occured this week."
A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement: "A guest accidentally fell onto the pool gutter after reaching over to retrieve their sunglasses. Our crew immediately attended to the guest and fortunately the guest did not experience any injuries."
What Happens Next
The video shows no sign of slowing down its viral spread as it continues to be shared by viewers online this week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
20 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Momentum Grows to Close 'Loophole' Allowing Child Sex Offenders to Adopt via Surrogacy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Pennsylvania prosecutor is calling on state lawmakers to close a "loophole" that allowed a registered sex offender to become a parent via surrogacy. Footage of Brandon Keith Riley-Mitchell celebrating the first birthday of his son, Atticus, with husband Logan Steven Riley went viral this week, stoking criticism from conservatives that erupted upon revelation of his status as a registered sex offender in Pennsylvania. Riley-Mitchell, 39, and his partner had previously raised more than $2,000 via a crowdfunding drive to become fathers using a gestational surrogate. "In gestational surrogacy, the child is not biologically related to the surrogate mother," Riley wrote on GoFundMe. "Instead, an embryo is created via in vitro fertilization (IVF) using an anonymous donor egg. The embryo is then transferred to the gestational surrogate who carries the baby as if it were any other pregnancy. Once the baby is born, the intended parents (Brandon and I) would have full legal custody." The fundraiser, which has since been removed but is still archived, did not indicate details of Riley-Mitchell's prior conviction in 2016 for sexual abuse of children and possession of child pornography. Brandon Keith Riley-Mitchell, 39, of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, could not be reached for comment. Brandon Keith Riley-Mitchell, 39, of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, could not be reached for comment. Pennsylvania State Police Logan Riley announced in November 2023 that the couple had found a surrogate after creating four embryos through an egg donor program in 2020. "After three long years of searching, a family friend... reached out in early 2023 to see if we were still looking," the since-deleted fundraiser read. "After multiple conversations and a great connection with her family, we decided to proceed. Our surrogate went through extensive medical and social worker evaluations in order to be approved for surrogacy. Once approved, the lengthy legal and financial process began. We are so excited that our amazing surrogate will carry one of our embryos for us, helping to expand our family!" Riley said the couple planned to throw a fundraiser in 2024 to help offset the "substantial costs" of becoming fathers. "Thank you to everyone who already donated to our surrogacy fund, your contributions are greatly appreciated," he wrote. "We have incredible friends and family!" A district attorney in Pennsylvania, where the couple lives, is now calling for legislative action while noting state law did not preclude Riley-Mitchell from becoming a father. "I thoroughly appreciate the concerned and outraged emotions expressed by many that a loophole exists in the law to allows a registered sex offender to become a parent through surrogacy without the same intense scrutiny, accountability, and judicial oversight mandated for the adoption process," York County District Attorney Tim Barker told Newsweek in a statement late Tuesday. "This is an issue ripe for review and remedy by our Pennsylvania Legislature." Barker said he had "full confidence" that York County elected officials would pursue any "constitutionally permissible legislative actions" to protect children. "Pennsylvania law currently does not, in and of itself, prohibit a registered sex offender from becoming a parent through surrogacy," Barker added. "Given this fact, no one presently has brought forth to my office an allegation of a criminal violation being perpetrated by Mitchell in York County. Accordingly, my office lacks any legal basis to act on this matter." Petition to Remove Child More than 3,000 people have signed an online petition launched Tuesday calling for the boy to be removed from the home of the couple, who live in southern Pennsylvania outside York. There is no indication or suggestion the child has been harmed in the care of his parents. "A Tier 1 registered sex offender, Brandon Keith Riley Mitchell, was convicted in Pennsylvania for the sexual abuse of a minor and is publicly listed on the Megan's Law registry," the petition reads. "Despite this, he and his partner have recently obtained custody of a newborn baby through surrogacy. This is possible only due to a dangerous legal loophole in Pennsylvania that allows sex offenders — even those convicted of crimes against children — to access custody through private or unregulated reproductive arrangements." Repeated attempts by Newsweek to reach Riley-Mitchell and Riley were unsuccessful, but Peter Kratsa, Riley-Mitchell's former attorney, said his client had served his sentence and completed post-conviction requirements without incident. No law prohibited Riley-Mitchell from becoming a father, Kratsa emphasized. Logan Riley, left, with Brandon Keith Riley-Mitchell and the couple's 1-year-old son, Atticus. Logan Riley, left, with Brandon Keith Riley-Mitchell and the couple's 1-year-old son, Atticus. Facebook "Brandon's matter in Chester County involved allegations in 2013 of inappropriate electronic communications with a minor, aged 16-to-18 years old," Kratsa said in a statement. "There was no allegation of physical contact. Brandon immediately accepted responsibility for his conduct, served his sentence without incident, and engaged in extensive counseling. Brandon did nothing illegal or unethical in becoming a surrogate parent. He was completely transparent." Kratsa's statement concluded: "Perhaps the attention of those decrying his parenthood would be more appropriately directed toward those who are not held accountable for child abuse, are not punished, and make no efforts at rehabilitation." The York County Department of Probation Services assumed supervision of Riley-Mitchell's case from 2017 through 2021 following a transfer from Chester County. He then successfully completed his supervision in 2021, Barker, the D.A., noted. "Pursuant to his underlying conviction and sentence, Mitchell became a registered sex offender and must comply with those requirements regardless of his probation/parole supervision being closed," the prosecutor's statement continued. "Mitchell has not been alleged to have violated his registration conditions, and our office has not received criminal charges to prosecute him for any such offenses." What the Surrogate Knew The husband of the couple's surrogate, meanwhile, told Newsweek Riley-Mitchell did admit to having "prior interaction with the law," but said the matter had been resolved. "He said he had 'something in my past' but had gone through the court system," Theodore Martinovich told Newsweek, adding that he ultimately balked at Riley-Mitchell's offer to provide more details. "I didn't know the story and I didn't care to dig into it," he said. Brandon Keith Riley-Mitchell, left, and Logan Riley celebrate the recent birthday of their 1-year-old son, Atticus. Brandon Keith Riley-Mitchell, left, and Logan Riley celebrate the recent birthday of their 1-year-old son, Atticus. Facebook Riley-Mitchell, a former teacher at Downingtown West High School from 2010 through 2015, was charged in 2016 for allegedly requesting nude images and video from a 16-year-old student. Authorities later found more than 12,000 text messages between Riley-Mitchell and the victim between May 2013 and December 2014. Riley-Mitchell, who later pleaded guilty to felony possession of child pornography, was sentenced to a minimum of three months confinement and a maximum of 23 months in prison. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim or unsupervised contact with minors, as well as to surrender his teaching licenses and certificates, court records show. Riley-Mitchell now works at a pharmaceutical company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Regional probation service 'requires improvement' over failure to assess risks to victims
A regional probation service has been graded 'requires improvement' overall after an inspection found inadequate work in assessing risks to actual and potential victims. HM Inspectorate of Probation found the North Tyneside and Northumberland Probation Delivery Unit's assessments of those on probation were not sufficiently focused on keeping other people safe. According to the inspection's findings, probation workers had been unable to access enough detailed information to make informed assessments on offenders. The report found: READ MORE: The 28 North East towns and streets that will be targeted by extra police this summer READ MORE: 'Arrogant' Peterlee businessman who assaulted ex-partner breached restraining order four years later on Instagram Domestic abuse information was not requested in six out of 50 relevant safeguarding cases Child safeguarding information was not requested in 8 out of 49 safeguarding cases Domestic abuse information received was 'insufficient' in 30% of cases It was also noted the service had experienced difficulty in obtaining information from the Police when the PDU requested more detailed information. The inspectorate stated: 'Even when practitioners obtained information from these agencies, they did not use it consistently when assessing risk of harm. Disappointingly, too free assessment focused on keeping people safe. Just 50% of cases we inspected clearly identified and analysed risk of harm to others, and just over half of relevant cases (24/47) lacked sufficient analysis of specific concerns and risks to actual and potential victims." In addition, the inspection graded the PDU's reviewing of progress made by those on probation as inadequate. Probation reviews 'often failed to identify critical changes in circumstances' including new relationships or further offending. In response to the findings, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'The government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis, placing significant strain on the probation service. We are boosting probation funding by 45%, investing up to £700 million more by 2028, and we are planning to recruit another 1,300 probation officers by March next year. 'This will ensure offenders receive robust supervision and improve the work probation does to keep the public safe.' On a positive note, inspectors noted a 'clear commitment' to staff development and wellbeing within the PDU and improving workloads. The report also found that probation leaders improved accessibility for people living in rural communities through satellite offices and sharing office space. Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Kids of Afghan Translator Taken at Green-Card Check Living in Fear—Brother
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The children of an Afghan man who served with U.S. troops and entered the U.S legally are terrified to play outside after their father was detained at a green-card appointment, the man's brother said. Zia S., a 35-year-old father of five and former interpreter for the U.S. military, was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office in East Hartford, Connecticut, on July 16, his lawyer told reporters on a press call. The brothers requested that their names be withheld over safety concerns. "His kids don't even go out to play because they're scared. And I didn't even go out to work because I'm watching his kids," Zia's brother, who also served as interpreter, told Newsweek in an exclusive interview on July 30. An agent watches migrants coming for their hearings at an immigration court in New York. An agent watches migrants coming for their hearings at an immigration court in New York. Andrea Renault/STAR MAX/IPx Why It Matters Following the end of the U.S. military's 20-year presence in Afghanistan in 2021, many Afghans who had assisted American forces were allowed entry into the United States through refugee programs, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). However, policy changes under the Trump administration resulted in the termination of TPS for some people, raising concerns about potential deportations. The U.S. ended TPS for Afghans effective July 14, 2025, according to a Department of Homeland Security notice published in May. President Donald Trump has vowed to remove millions of migrants without legal status. The White House said in January that anyone living in the country unlawfully is considered to be a "criminal." What To Know Zia arrived in the U.S. on humanitarian parole in October 2024 and had been living in Connecticut, his lawyer told reporters during a press call. He assisted U.S. troops in Afghanistan for about five years and fled the country with his family in 2021. Although they had received Special Immigrant Visa approvals and were pursuing permanent residency, Zia was placed in expedited removal proceedings. A federal judge has issued a temporary stay on his deportation. After his initial detention in Connecticut, Zia was transferred to an immigration detention center in Plymouth, Massachusetts. A senior Department of Homeland Security official told Newsweek on July 23 that the Zia "is currently under investigation for a serious criminal allegation." Newsweek has requested more details from DHS surrounding the alleged wrongdoing. Zia's brother denied that he was involved in any criminality and said the allegations are "baseless." Both brothers served the U.S. military as interpreters. Zia's brother came to the U.S. more than a decade ago through the same SIV program and eventually obtained U.S. citizenship, he said. The detention has taken a toll on his wife, Zia's brother said. "His wife is suffering anxiety since he's been detained," he said. "And nobody sleeps. The family is awake all night." In a message to Trump, Zia's brother said the family followed all legal procedures and expected the U.S. to honor commitments to its Afghan allies. "We were promised wartime allies," he said. "For our job, like when we have served with the U.S. and we helped the U.S. Army and our home country, and we were promised that you all would be going to the U.S. on legal pathways. "They should stand on their promise. They should not betray us. They should not betray those who put their lives at risk and their families' lives at risk for them." What People Are Saying Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, previously told Newsweek: "The Trump administration's decision to turn its back on our Afghan allies who risked their lives and the lives of their families to support American troops in Afghanistan is unconscionable." A senior DHS Official told Newsweek: Zia is "a national of Afghanistan, entered the U.S. on October 8, 2024, and paroled by the Biden administration into our country." Zia's attorney, Lauren Cundick Petersen, told reporters on a press call on July 22: "Following the rules are supposed to protect you. It's not supposed to land you in detention. If he is deported, as so many of the people have articulated today, he faces death." What Happens Next Zia is being held in a Massachusetts detention center and will remain in ICE custody, pending further investigation by DHS.
