A scary moment on a Disney cruise turned into an incredible rescue story — and now, police are clearing up the rumors that followed.
It all happened on Sunday morning around 11:30 a.m., when a five-year-old girl fell off the fourth deck of the Disney Dream cruise ship. The ship, worth $900 million, was on its way to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas.
Hundreds of passengers watched in shock as the girl’s dad jumped into the ocean to save her. He held her up in the water for 20 minutes until the ship’s crew arrived and pulled them both to safety.
But after the rescue, a rumor started spreading online. Some people claimed the dad had put his daughter on the ship’s 3.5-foot railing to take a photo, and that’s how she fell. The internet quickly turned on the man, painting him as careless — but the truth was very different.
On Wednesday, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office stepped in to clear things up. Sheriff Gregory Tony explained what really happened.
He said the girl had been sitting on the railing and accidentally fell backwards through a nearby porthole. Her father did not place her there, and he didn’t see her fall.
“As soon as the girl’s mom noticed, she shouted to her husband,” Sheriff Tony said. “Without hesitation, he jumped into the water to save his daughter.”
The 37-year-old father managed to reach his little girl and kept her above water until a smaller rescue boat was sent from the ship to bring them back safely.
Bottom Line:
The father was not to blame — he was a hero. And thanks to his quick action and the ship’s crew, a terrifying moment ended in relief and safety.