A search is underway after a passenger went overboard from a cruise ship near Brisbane.
A man in his 70s fell from a Carnival Splendor ship about 30km northeast of Moreton Island on Friday night after he “apparently climbed over the safety railing and jumped.”
A Carnival Cruise spokesman confirmed the man was traveling with family who alerted the ship’s crew about a missing person.
“A review of the CCTV footage confirmed the guest’s action,” a spokesman said.
The ship was sailing from Moreton Island towards Sydney when the incident unfolded overnight.
“All appropriate authorities have been alerted and Carnival will assist authorities in their investigation upon the ship’s return to Sydney,” a spokesman said.
“Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved one.”
It follows the death of another passenger who drowned at Moreton Island earlier on Friday.
Police confirmed a 67-year-old Tasmanian woman was found unresponsive in the water near the wrecks at about 11:46 am.
“Attempts were made to revive the woman; however, she was pronounced deceased at the scene,” a police spokesman said.
“Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding her death.”
NewsWire understands the incidents are not related.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was notified a person had been lost about 30km northeast of Moreton Island.
AMSA is co-ordinating a search and rescue operation with Challenger jets from Melbourne and Cairns, five rescue helicopters from Brisbane and six vessels with help from Queensland Police.
“A search is underway and no further details are available … at this stage,” an AMSA spokesman said.
Read the full article here