Police have released a major update.
A family had recently boarded the Disney Dream eager for a magical vacation after months of pandemic restrictions, but it turned into a nightmare.
Shocking cruise incident explained.
Now, a closer look at the family’s backstory reveals how this could have happened despite precautions.
The terrifying incident unfolded Sunday aboard the Disney Dream, cruising between the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale.
The 5-year-old, described as adventurous and curious, loved exploring every corner of the ship.
On the day of the accident, the family was enjoying a casual afternoon on deck 4, a quieter spot meant for games like shuffleboard.
Despite barriers, the deck’s design included small gaps that a determined child could exploit.
Crew members regularly monitor passengers, but children’s quick movements can be hard to track on a busy cruise.
After the girl slipped overboard, her father bravely jumped in after her, treading water for more than 10 minutes awaiting rescue.
Cell phone footage shows the frantic moments as rescue teams raced to the scene.
The family described the moment as terrifying but praised the swift response from both crew and fellow passengers.
Social media erupted with accusations before facts emerged, demonstrating how fast misinformation can spread in crises.
Passengers defence of dad confirmed.
A fellow passenger came forward to defend the dad, sharing critical eyewitness details.
Monica Shannon told CBS Miami a crew member said the girl climbed the protective barrier herself.
“She was climbing up, and the parents were playing shuffleboard when the dad jumped in after her,” Shannon said.
Shannon was on a lower deck with her family, awaiting a Disney princess meet-and-greet when she witnessed something fly by.
“I thought it was part of the show, but five minutes later we heard someone went overboard,” she recalled.
Deck 4, where the family stood, is less crowded and includes shuffleboard courts, Shannon said.
The deck does have a protective barrier, but it contains “little divots and spaces” that could allow climbing.
Shocking social media rumors about dad debunked.
The father of a 5-year-old girl who fell overboard from a Disney cruise ship was not responsible for placing her on the railing, authorities have confirmed.
Early social media reports wrongly claimed the dad lifted his daughter onto the railing before she fell, but Broward County Sheriff’s Office shut that down.
“The little girl was not being held, as erroneously reported,” a sheriff’s spokesperson told CBS News Miami Tuesday.
The investigation directly disproves the rumor that the dad had placed his daughter on the railing.
Disney crew praised.
The girl’s survival was thanks in large part to the quick reaction of the Disney crew.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office praised the Disney staff’s training and readiness.
“Their training clearly paid off,” the department said in an official statement.
The sheriff’s office said there was nothing suspicious about the accident but investigations are ongoing.
“This family is so blessed,” the statement concluded, highlighting the miraculous survival.
Police have now released remarkable new details on the incident.
According to a new statement released by Broward Sheriff’s Office, the five-year-old girl “lost her balance while sitting on a railing” and fell backwards through a porthole. Her father didn’t see the fall, but quickly jumped into the water to her rescue.
Meanwhile, Disney is reviewing safety protocols to prevent future accidents on their ships.
The rescue operation itself was a textbook example of maritime emergency response.
With the girl safe and family reunited, the story ends on a note of relief amid the shock.
This investigation closes one chapter but leaves lingering questions about cruise ship safety for families.