VIDEO: 'Hero' Father Leaps Off Disney Cruise Ship’s Fourth Deck To Save 5-Year-Old Daughter After She Falls Into Ocean

South Florida: A holiday aboard the Disney Dream cruise turned into a dramatic rescue on Sunday, June 29, after a father leapt off the vessel's fourth deck to save his five-year-old daughter who had accidentally fallen into the ocean. The incident took place when the ship was sailing back to South Florida from the Bahamas.

According to passengers on board, the young girl fell overboard from a considerable height, sparking immediate alarm. Without a moment’s hesitation, her father dove into the open sea to rescue her.

A video of the incident also surfaced on social media. Have a look:

According to reports, eyewitnesses described the terrifying sequence of events, recalling how quickly the two disappeared from view due to the ship’s high speed. “The people became tiny dots in the sea," a passenger was quoted as saying, describing the surreal and helpless moment before both vanished from sight.

Crew members and fellow passengers watched in disbelief as the man jumped after his daughter, risking his life in an instant act of love and instinct.

Emergency Response and Rescue

Reacting quickly, the ship’s captain initiated an emergency stop and manoeuvred the massive vessel into position for a rescue. A tender boat was immediately deployed, and life preservers were thrown into the sea as trained responders rushed to the father and child’s location.

Despite the chaos, the crew’s quick response and the father's courageous leap ensured that the situation was brought under control. The current condition of the father and daughter has not been disclosed, but the outcome was described by onlookers as miraculous.

The Disney Dream, part of Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, was en route from the Bahamas to South Florida when the incident occurred. While cruise ship overboard incidents are rare, this case is being hailed as a powerful story of parental instinct and bravery.

The father's leap has since gone viral, with social media users calling him a hero and praising his act as a "leap of love".

Published on: Tuesday, July 01, 2025, 03:23 PM IST