Child Drowns Aboard Norwegian Breakaway Cruise Ship

Norwegian Breakaway file photo

Feb 3 (Reuters) – A 4-year-old child died abroad a Norwegian Cruise Line ship off the coast of North Carolina on Monday after being found unresponsive on the pool deck, a coast guard official said.

Two children, the 4-year-old and a 6-year-old, were discovered in the pool at about noon on Monday. Medical staff abroad the boat were able to revive the 6-year-old but the other child was pronounced dead, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Adam SanSoucie.

The ship was about 35 miles (56 km) off the coast of North Carolina at the time of the incident, and the surviving child was airlifted, along with his grandmother, to the state’s Carteret General Hospital, he said.

“We are extremely saddened to report that a tragedy occurred on board Norwegian Breakaway this morning,” Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd said in a statement posted on the cruise line’s Facebook page. “The team responded immediately and quickly administered CPR to both children… Devastatingly, the younger child passed away on board.”

On Norwegian Breakaway this morning, our emergency medical team was called and notified that two small children were unresponsive on the pool deck. The team responded immediately and quickly administered CPR to both children. The older child was then airlifted by the U.S. Coast Guard to the closest medical facility, accompanied by his grandmother and a nurse from the ship. After extensive efforts, the younger child could not be revived.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this extremely difficult time and are providing full assistance and support.

The family is in our thoughts and prayers and we ask that you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as well.

© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved

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