Twelve-year-old boy falls to his death on cruise
A 12-year-old boy has fallen to his death onboard the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas, as guests watched on in horror.
The cruise was nearing the end of its itinerary on Sunday and was heading back to Texas after its seven-day cruise around the Western Caribbean when the incident occurred.
Witnesses recalled that the boy was playing with a group of friends he had made on the ship before he tumbled over a 13-storey balcony, falling into the internal Central Park area of the ship, a plaza filled with bars, pubs and restaurants.
Royal Caribbean staff attempted to resuscitate the youngster, but he died before the ship docked in Texas.
The cruise company shared a statement that a death had occurred onboard but refused to share any more information as investigations into the incident began.
Witnesses took to a Facebook page for passengers to share their condolences to the boy's grieving family, and share their version of event.
"My daughter was friends with him and said he was upset today," posted passenger Sara Tullas. "She is so upset. I wish I would have known he was struggling today."
The boy had taken part in the cruise's teen-club, and many passengers said their children had got to know the boy before his death.
"The conversations I have had to have with my son really tripped me up," wrote Shannon Elizabeth on the Facebook page. "My son and him actually got really close on the cruise, and he saw too much of what happened."
"My family and I saw the incident unfold right before us as we were looking down into Central Park from the pool deck," wrote Christa Schoolfield. "We did not see whether he jumped or was playing around."
Another passenger wrote, "I looked over the railing after the emergency alert and wish I didn’t."
"All I ask is to please hug your children tight and tell your family members you love them. Life can change in an instant. Today I was hiding ducks in Central Park and one second later a child's life was gone in front of me."
Friends said the boy was on board with his family, including two sisters, for a birthday celebration.
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