30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dad's dash to save daughter after she went overboard on Disney Dream cruise ship
Disney cruise passengers were left shocked when a girl tumbled into the Atlantic Ocean with her dad jumping in to save her before a full rescue effort was launched
A dad heroically raced to save his daughter after she fell overboard into the ocean during a Disney Dream cruise.
Horrified passengers looked on as the girl fell overboard into the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday, sparking a rescue effort. The incident happened as the vessel sailed from Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas with passengers being alerted to what happened by the emergency Mr M.O.B man overboard code being announced over the intercom.
Bystanders raced to the railing when they realised a child fell overboard from Deck 4 and plunged into the water. But the girl's dad jumped in after in a bid to keep her afloat and alive.
Disney crew members also sprung into action shortly afterward and lowered a yellow rescue vessel into the sea. MailOnline reported passenger Dewayne Smith posted to Facebook: "We re on the Disney Dream at sea today and just witnessed a first on a cruise.
"A little girl fell overboard and her dad jumped overboard to try to save her. Man overboard calls went up immediately. The Disney crew went into action asap. Lots of praying folks on this ship! Both the little girl and dad were both successfully rescued."
A clip shared by Dewayne showed the rescue vessel bobbing through the waters as crew brought the girl and her dad aboard as shocked guests looked on from the railings. When the pair made it onboard, bystanders were seen bursting into applause.
"It was so intense to watch," passenger Janice Martin-Asuque, in a Facebook post. Disney Cruise Line praised its crew for the rescue.
A spokesperson said: "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." While no serious injuries were reported, questions remained about how the child managed to fall over the ship's plexiglass barrier.
The girl fell from Deck 4, which includes a jogging track and is lined with protective panels. The Mirror has contacted Disney Experiences, the branch which hosts the Disney cruise ships.
There have been multiple incidents where passengers have fallen overboard while on cruises. In December, a passenger travelling on a Princess Cruise fell overboard, sparking a major search.
Officials previously said the 72-year-old, fell overboard during the cruise from California to Mexico. Princess Cruises said it "ruled out other possibilities" and treated the passenger's disappearance as a man overboard incident after officials reviewed CCTV footage with the search being carried out across the sip several times without success.
