Two drown in one day at Celebration Key in GB

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net


TWO American visitors died in apparent drowning incidents at Celebration Key on Friday, less than a month after Carnival Cruise Line opened its $600m private cruise destination in East Grand Bahama.

Witnesses who saw the separate emergencies unfold described emotional and chaotic scenes. Several Facebook users said lifeguards responded quickly and worked intensely to revive both passengers. Some witnesses suggested the victims may have suffered sudden medical episodes while in the water, pointing to signs of distress such as possible seizures or heart trouble. Others recounted how crowds gathered to pray for the man pulled from the sea after snorkelling, and how fellow passengers were visibly shaken as CPR was performed on the woman at the pool.

Carnival confirmed the guests had arrived on separate ships, with one travelling aboard Mardi Gras and the other on Carnival Elation, which were both in port.

Police said a 79-year-old man was found unresponsive shortly after noon while snorkelling at the beach. A lifeguard pulled him from the water and CPR was administered, but he was pronounced dead by a doctor.

A couple of hours later, officers received another report shortly after 2.30pm — this time of a 74-year-old woman who became unresponsive while swimming in a pool. CPR was also unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead by a doctor.

Autopsies are being conducted to determine the cause of death. Police investigations are ongoing.

According to the New York Post, one passenger had been on a six-day Eastern Bahamas voyage aboard Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral, Florida, while the other had sailed on a four-day cruise aboard Carnival Elation out of Jacksonville, Florida.

Carnival said its lifeguards and medical team responded swiftly to both emergencies.

“Sadly, both guests have passed away,” the company said in a statement. “One guest was sailing with their family on Mardi Gras, and the other was sailing with their family on Carnival Elation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families, and our Care Team is providing assistance.”

Amid much fanfare, Carnival formally opened Celebration Key on July 19 at Sharp Rock, unveiling a ten-story Sandcastle waterslide, a massive freshwater lagoon, and the exclusive Pearl Cove Beach Club. The port, touted as a “game changer” by Carnival president Christine Duffy, is expected to welcome two million visitors this year from 20 ships sailing out of ten U.S. ports.

More than 500 people are employed at Celebration Key.

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