An 88-year-old American woman has died following a tragic incident at Carnival Cruise Line’s Grand Bahama destination, Celebration Key, after she reportedly lost control of her mobility scooter and went over a pier into the water on May 9. According to a statement shared with PEOPLE, Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that a “female guest using a mobility scooter drove off the pier at Celebration Key and fell into the water while Carnival Celebration was in port.” The cruise line added that crew members immediately responded and were able to pull her from the water. But, despite resuscitation efforts, she did not survive.
Bahamas Police Investigate Fatal Cruise Pier Fall
Authorities with the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) later confirmed they are actively investigating the death of the elderly passenger. In a press release, officials stated she “reportedly lost control and drove off the pier” shortly after 12:00 p.m. local time. Officials believe she struck her head against the vessel’s hull before entering the water. A local physician later pronounced her dead, and authorities with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the coroner’s office took custody of her body. Her name has not yet been released, and officials have not confirmed a formal cause of death.
More Details Emerge Amid Ongoing Investigation
The Carnival Celebration was reportedly on a seven-day Eastern Caribbean voyage during the time of the incident, having departed Miami on May 3 and scheduled to return on May 10, according to CruiseMapper. As investigators continue to piece together what led up to the fatal fall, questions remain surrounding how the incident occurred on a secured cruise pier and what safety measures were in place at the time.
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