Toddler on cruise ship falls to her death
— FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.
A toddler from Indiana, the daughter of a vacationing police officer, fell to her death Sunday from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that was docked in Puerto Rico.
The girl, 1 1/2, fell from the 11th floor of the Freedom of the Seas ship while it was docked at Pan American II port in San Juan, according to the Telemundo station in Puerto Rico. The station also reported that the girl accidentally slipped from the arms of her grandfather from a window in a recreation area.
The 11th deck of the ship where the incident took place has a pool area, spa and fitness center, bars and cafes, according to the ship’s deck plans.
“It’s a very grave scene, very regrettable and tragic,” Elmer Roman of the Department of Public Security of Puerto Rico told the Primera Hora newspaper. “One of the grandfathers, whom it would appear was playing with the little girl, lifted her out of the open window and lost his grip.”
The publication also reported that the child was traveling with her parents, siblings and both sets of grandparents. Her identity was not released but police told The Associated Press that the child’s grandfather, Salvatore Anello of Valparaiso, Ind., is under investigation.
The girl’s father was identified as South Bend, Ind., police officer Alan Wiegand, officials confirmed Monday.
“The South Bend Police Department offers its sincerest condolences to Officer Alan Wiegand and his family during this difficult time following the tragic loss of their child while in Puerto Rico,” the department released in a statement. “The department asks the community to pray for the entire Wiegand family as they grieve and to respect their privacy.”
Additionally, South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski told WSBT television the child was not being held outside a window when the incident happened.
The Department of Public Security of Puerto Rico, which is investigating the case, also said on social media, “We sympathize with the family of the girl who died.”
In a statement to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Royal Caribbean’s communications manager, Owen Torres, wrote, “We are deeply saddened by yesterday’s tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for their privacy, we do not plan to comment further on the incident.”
The ship, which made its U.S. debut in 2006, is based in Puerto Rico where it departs for seven-night sailings to the southern Caribbean including stops in St. Thomas, St. John and St. Lucia.
Falling from vessels is unusual but not unheard of, whether at sea or in port. More than 300 people have fallen overboard on cruise ships since 2000 — some accidentally, some intentionally — according to website Cruise Junkie.
On July 4, a 37-year-old man was reported missing after falling overboard from the Carnival Victory off Cuba. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for the man on Sunday.
On Jan. 11, a 16-year-old from the South Pacific, Laurent Mercer, fell to his death while trying to climb inside the balcony of another Royal Caribbean ship, the Harmony of the Seas, while the ship was docked at Labadee, Haiti.