Young Boy Drowns On Carnival Cruise Ship. A need for lifeguards?

[Jason 426]

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – What was supposed to be a fun family vacation on a Miami-based cruise ship turned into a nightmare for a Central Florida family after a 6-year-old boy drowned on board the ship.

According to Detective Javier Baez of the Miami-Dade Police Department, Qwentyn Hunter from Winter Garden was playing with his 10-year old brother in a pool on board the Carnival Cruise Ship Victory on Sunday when he was spotted motionless under the water.

Passenger Shaina Shaw was one of several passengers who helped pull him from the water.

“I saw the little boy with his family, enjoying himself, and out of nowhere I heard all of this commotion and I realized it was the same little boy I had seen playing with his older brother and his mother and his father in the very shallow end of the pool,” explained Shaw. “I actually lifted the boy up, I actually helped prop his body up into the proper position so they could perform CPR,” she said.

But tragically, it wasn’t enough to save him. “Everyone was crying, the family was distraught. They had to pull the mother away and the father. The father was next to his son pleading and begging his son to stay alive,” explained Shaw, also crying when she recalled the moment.

“Poor family has to go on vacation with their child and have to come back without them, it’s not fair, it’s not fair,” said Shaw.

Carnival Cruise Line issued this statement early Monday:

“While the ship was at sea on the last leg of a four-day Caribbean cruise, a six-year-old boy drowned in the midship pool. He was at the pool area with other family members at the time,” Carnival Cruise Line said in the statement. “Carnival extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family during this very difficult time. The company’s CareTeam is providing assistance and support.”

The Victory docked at PortMiami early Monday morning following the weekend Caribbean cruise.

By CBS4 Miami

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[Shari2 409]

So very sad and tragic. I can only imagine what the family is going through. The young ones should never be left out of sight. My husband actually saved the life of a young boy in a pool at a neighborhood gathering. He heard the young boy whispering "help, help" and pulled him up...a few more seconds and he wouldn't have made it. The young boy was a neighbor and had no one with him. I will be saying prayers for the family of the young boy on Carnival. I do think it would be a good idea to have a lifeguard at the pools.

[sailingrose 86]

How sad. My heart goes out to that family

[Mach 43]

Surely, my heart is heavy for the family

I have never been blessed with children but I can assure you that If I was lucky enough to have a young one my eyes would be glued on him/her.

I am not assigning blame... far from it but a six year old... in a pool?

No more need be said...

[Jan115 1,060]

This story leaves me with a feeling of deep sadness. But lifeguards on cruise ships? No. The responsibility of watching the kids lies with the parents and guardians. I am by no means assigning blame in this terrible tragedy, and until the full story emerges, we won't know the specific circumstances. My heart goes out to the parents and family. No one should have to experience the death of a child.

[DebbieandJerry 243]

My heart broke when I read this story in our local paper. Then I realized that unfortunately, drownings occur all the time.

This accident could have happened in any pool at any time. It became a public event because of Carnival's disclosure. I commend Carnival for reporting this incident. As unfortunate as it is, they did the correct thing by disclosing the incident.

As for lifeguards - no! My hear goes out to the family, friends and staff of Carnival that had to deal with this tragedy. However, I truly believe that the parents and guardians are responsible for their children's welfare on any vacation.