A family has been left distraught and holidaymakers horrified after a boy plunged to his death during a luxury cruise.
The 12-year-old was playing with friends that he had made on the cruise when he toppled over the railing of his family’s 14th floor room, landing head-first six decks below.
The tragic incident took place on Sunday on the family’s last night of a seven-day cruise of the Caribbean on the 16-deck Harmony Of The Seas.
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Witnesses said the boy plummeted into the Central Park area of the ship, a busy plaza filled with bars, shops and restaurants.
Staff tried to resuscitate him but he died before the ship, which can hold up to 7000 passengers, was able to dock in Texas.
It is understood the boy was on the cruise with his family, including two sisters, for a birthday celebration.
Emotional passengers could not contain their anguish.
“I witnessed the incident with the 12yo boy that passed away, I stayed with him the entire time hoping to see any sign of life and to let him know he wasn’t alone when he passed,” an anonymous passenger posted on Facebook.
“All I ask is to please hug your children tight and tell you family members you love them.
“Life can change in an instant. Today I was hiding ducks in Central Park and one second later a child’s life was gone in front of me.”
Shannon Elizabeth, of Washington, posted: “The conversations I have had to have with my son really tripped me up.
“My son and him actually got really close on the cruise and he saw too much of what happened.”
Christa Schoolfield said: “My family and I saw the incident unfold right before us as we were looking down into Central Park from the pool deck.
“We did not see whether he jumped or was playing around.”
Amanda Dearing added: “I have been shaken up since I heard last night. I wanted to find that mama … and just hug her tight.”
Traveller Kortney Haenel regretted not being on the balcony below to catch the boy.
“I always sleep in the room under him … that was the first day I had not sat on my balcony around that time … I just keep thinking why was I not out there that day. Maybe I could have caught him,” she wrote.
