A 73-year-old Melbourne man tragically fell overboard from the Disney Wonder cruise ship in the early hours of Saturday, sparking a fruitless search at sea.
Drama at Sea: Cruise Ship Diverts After Man Goes Overboard
The pensioner reportedly plunged from one of the decks around 4:30am during the voyage to Auckland, New Zealand. The Disney Wonder turned back mid-Tasman Sea to search but failed to locate him. Passengers only became aware of the emergency course change around midday, hours after the incident.
“The captain came on and updated the boat and basically stated that there was someone, a passenger had fallen overboard…but they were unable to find them,” said passenger Mitch Talbot. “It was quite sombre and it was just a bit eerie for the rest of the day.”
Police Confirm No Suspicious Circumstances in Cruise Ship Tragedy
Victoria Police said the man died after jumping into the Tasman Sea and confirmed the death is not suspicious. His body has yet to be recovered. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Police statement: “It’s understood the man died after he jumped from a cruise liner into the waters in the Tasman Sea on 22 November about 4:30am. The body of the 73-year-old Moonee Ponds man is yet to be recovered. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”
Disney Cruise Presses On Despite Tragedy
Following the sombre announcement, the Disney Wonder resumed its journey. Passengers are expected to arrive in Auckland by Wednesday. Metro has reached out to Disney Cruise Lines for comment.
