After her father jumped out of a Disney Cruise Line ship on Sunday, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement clarifying details from the investigation.
The pair were rescued by crews from Disney Dream after their father stepped on the water for about 20 minutes with his 5-year-old daughter, the release said. The incident occurred around 11:30am on Sunday when the girl “disappeared when she “sitted on the railing and fell backward through Portore.”
The family was on deck 4 of the ship. Ship Deck 4 includes a wraparound walking track, which is primarily covered in plastic, and makes it difficult for kids to climb. However, there are some parts of Deck 4 where Portoles work with different handrail protection designs. Deck 4 is approximately 20 feet of the water line.
The ship returned from the Bahamas to the Port Everglades at the end of the four-night cruise and was in international waters.
“After the girl’s mother warned her husband for not seeing the incident, he jumped into the sea to save her daughter,” it continued. “BSO detectives said their 37-year-old father stepped on the water until he was rescued by a bid fired from the ship after finding his daughter.”
Part of the reason the Sheriff’s Office announced the release was due to “misinformation.” Several social media posts speculated how the child was in a position to go overboard.
Detectives are still investigating, but the sheriff’s office said accounts of the daughter’s fall and the father’s involvement have been confirmed.
“BSO detectives reviewed the ship’s security video, which supports statements from family members and cruise ship staff,” the release said.
The release also praised Disney’s “man’s outboard” training, and was checked out by the ship’s medical staff after an unspecified pair got on board.
After the rescue, Disney Cruise Line also praised the crew.
“We praised the members of the crew for their extraordinary skills and prompt action, and ensured that both guests would be safely returned to the ship within minutes,” read a statement from a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson. “We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident underscores the effectiveness of safety protocols.”
According to the release, the pair were taken to an area hospital after the ship returned to shore. My father was hospitalized.
“Due to the continued privacy of the family, detectives have not made public details of their name, where they live, or their father’s injuries,” the statement reads.
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Disney Dream is the only Disney ship sailing from the new second home on the Line in Fort Lauderdale. Most of the ships are based in Port Canaveral to the north.
“This family is very blessed. It’s great to be able to deal with the good news rather than a tragic result,” reads the sheriff’s statement.
