A video of a man saving his daughter after she fell overboard on a 14-deck Disney cruise is winning hearts on the Internet. The incident, which occurred on June 29, unfolded as the Disney Dream was en route back to Fort Lauderdale from a four-night Bahamian cruise, according to the BBC.
The report stated that the girl fell from a walking track on Deck 4, possibly while her father was taking her photo. The viral video begins with the man swimming in the Atlantic Ocean as a rescue boat approaches and pulls both him and his daughter to safety. The video was captured by one of the passengers onboard the ship.
Sharing the video, Daily Mail wrote, “In a split-second decision, the girl’s father leapt in after, determined to keep her afloat and save his daughter’s life.”
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The video quickly gained traction, with several users hailing the man. “Parents are the best they instantly forget about themselves when they kids are in danger,” a user wrote. “Thank you God for saving the child when she fell, for giving her dad the will and strength to dive in and save her, and for helping the crew get to them quickly and pull them from the water,” another user commented.
According to USA Today, the man is said to have kept his daughter afloat for 20 minutes. The ship’s crew quickly launched an emergency response, and no injuries were reported. Following the incident, the ship safely returned to port in Florida with all its passengers.
“The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water. We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes,” a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson told CBS News.