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Heroic Rescue on the High Seas: Father and Daughter Saved After Fall from Disney Cruise Ship
The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) has issued a new statement regarding the 5-year-old girl who fell overboard from the Disney Dream cruise ship, with an update to the events that resulted in the girl being rescued on June 29.
According to the updated information released on July 2, investigators now say the child was sitting on the ship’s railing when she lost her balance and fell backward through a nearby porthole opening. The portholes, which line parts of the ship’s Deck 4 exterior promenade, are set within short guardrails. While partially barricaded, the upper portions of these circular windows remain open—creating a risk that, tragically, became all too real.
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This new detail comes just one day after the BSO initially told media outlets the child “was not sitting on the ledge or being held up over it.” However, after reviewing security footage and gathering eyewitness statements, the timeline has been updated.
And what happened next was nothing short of heroic: the girl’s father, who did not witness the fall, jumped into the ocean immediately after being alerted by his wife. He kept his daughter afloat in the open sea until Disney Cruise Line crew members could reach them via rescue boat. Both were brought back onboard within 30 minutes and were evaluated by the ship’s medical team before being transported to a hospital upon arrival at Port Everglades. Portions of the rescue were recorded by passengers and shared on Tik Tok.
The BSO confirmed that the father was later hospitalized, though no further details have been released about his condition. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, their names and location are being withheld.
Perhaps the most reassuring note in this update? Investigators now say the ship’s surveillance video corroborates statements from both the family and crew. In other words, there’s no indication of foul play—just a terrible accident followed by a swift and professional emergency response.
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Disney Cruise Line also released a statement praising their crew’s life-saving actions and reaffirming their commitment to onboard safety protocols. And from what we’ve seen, those protocols worked just as they were designed to in a moment of true crisis.
The investigation remains ongoing, but one thing is certain: this family is incredibly lucky. What could have been a tragic loss at sea turned into a powerful story of rescue, love, and the life-saving power of preparation.
We’ll continue to bring you updates as they become available.
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