A 73-year-old man from Melbourne, Australia, died after jumping overboard from the Disney Wonder cruise ship on Saturday, November 22. The incident occurred in the Tasman Sea as the ship was traveling from Melbourne to Auckland.
The man is believed to have gone overboard at around 4:30 am on Saturday. The Disney Wonder was traveling to Auckland, New Zealand, from Melbourne when the incident happened. The ship turned around in the Tasman Sea, and a search was conducted for about five hours.
According to 7 News, Australia, Passenger Mitch Talbot stated, “The captain came on and updated the boat and basically stated that there was someone, a passenger had fallen overboard … (but) that they were unable to find them.”
Search and rescue efforts included using thermal imaging cameras. The man’s body was not recovered and authorities are not treating the death as suspicious.
In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed a report will be prepared for the coroner following the death of a 73-year-old man from Moonee Ponds, an inner-city suburb of Melbourne.
“It is understood the man died after he jumped from a cruise liner into the waters in the Tasman Sea on Saturday, about 4.30 am,” a police spokeswoman said.
The Disney Wonder carries up to 1,750 passengers across 11 decks. The Disney Wonder has since resumed its journey and is expected to reach New Zealand a day later than scheduled, arriving on Wednesday.
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