Hilda One cruiser’s vacation came to a tragic end in St. Maarten when she fell from the pier into the ocean while disembarking her cruise ship.
The 82-year-old passenger was visiting St. Maarten on December 26, 2024, by cruise ship when she fell into the ocean while using an electric wheelchair. Based on reports, the woman fell into the water around 5 p.m. at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities in St. Maarten.
Considering most cruise ships depart in the early evening, it’s likely the woman was returning to her cruise ship and navigating the cruise pier when the accident occurred. Some reports claim the woman’s wheelchair malfunctioned while she was navigating her way back to the cruise ship, which was also suggested in the official statement from authorities.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that a malfunction in the victim’s electric wheelchair, an 82-year-old female, may have contributed to her fall into the water. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel to administer emergency resuscitation, the victim sadly succumbed at the scene,” stated authorities in a statement.
Although first responders were quick to reach the woman, she unfortunately passed away from injuries sustained in the accident. “Multiple police patrols and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene to provide urgent assistance,” continued the statement.
Safety protocols and accessibility measures have long been areas of focus in the cruise industry. This tragic incident highlights the potential risks passengers face while navigating busy cruise ports, especially those in wheelchairs with mobility challenges.
Most cruise ports, including St. Maarten and other popular ports in the Caribbean, have infrastructure in place to assist passengers with disabilities. This includes easy-to-access ramps and marked pathways, along with shuttle and tram services for some ports.
It’s also unclear what cruise ship the woman was traveling on at the time. Some cruisers report the woman was sailing on AIDA Cruises’ AIDAmar, which is a German cruise line. However, there were multiple cruise ships docked in St. Maarten at the time of the incident, including Cunard’s Queen Mary 2, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Ascent, P&O Cruises’ Arvia, and Emerald Azzurra.
Cruise piers can be congested, especially with multiple ships docked at the same time. Cruisers should ensure all wheelchairs are well-maintained before traveling to avoid these tragic incidents.
“KPSM has expressed its deepest condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones, extending their support during this difficult time,” concluded authorities in their official statement.
