A girl fell overboard a Disney Dream cruise ship on Sunday, June 29, according to news reports
The girl’s father jumped in the water to save her and the pair was eventually rescued with help from crew members
One passenger described the incident in a post on Facebook as a “scary situation”
A dad is being hailed as a hero for jumping into the ocean to save his daughter after she fell overboard on a Disney cruise this weekend, according to officials and multiple news reports.
The Disney Dream was returning to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Sunday, June 29, following a four-night cruise in the Bahamas and made a stop at Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, when the incident took place, Newsweek and USA Today reported, citing Disney officials.
“The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water,” Disney Cruise Line said in a statement to PEOPLE. “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.”
According to the unofficial Disney Dream Cruise Ship Facebook group, where passengers gather to discuss their trips, the girl fell overboard from the fourth deck of the ship and a man identified as her father then jumped in after her.
“Her dad went in after her,” passenger Kevin Furuta wrote. “Right after the incident, we heard on the loudspeaker, ‘MOB [Man overboard] Port side!! Thankfully, the [Disney] rescue team was on it immediately and both were saved!”
“A little girl fell overboard and her father jumped in to save her … apparently the dad sat her on the railing!” passenger Mary Ann Sutherland added in a separate post on Facebook.
In video footage posted on Facebook by passenger Janice Martin-Asuque, who apparently witnessed the incident, a lifeboat can be seen floating in the choppy waters with people sitting inside.
There were no injuries reported.
“We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests,” Disney Cruise Line added in their statement to PEOPLE, “and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
