Just days after news highlighted a man’s selfless act to save his friend’s life, another inspiring story has come to light—this time involving a father rescuing his daughter.
On June 29, 2025, a frightening incident occurred aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship. While traveling from Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point back to Fort Lauderdale after a four-night trip through the Bahamas, a young girl fell overboard. Without hesitation, her father jumped in to save her. Videos and eyewitness accounts of the event have sparked mixed reactions online.
What started as a magical day on the Disney Dream quickly turned into a crisis during the ship’s return journey.
On Sunday morning, the ship’s emergency alert “Mr. M.O.B.” — the maritime code for “man overboard” — was announced, causing panic among passengers as the mood shifted from festive to urgent.
Multiple passengers soon shared their accounts, confirming that despite Disney’s strict safety measures, a child had fallen overboard. The father immediately dove into the ocean after her, vanishing beneath the moving ship. Social media was soon flooded with firsthand reports.
One witness, Dewayne Smith, posted on Facebook: “We are on the Disney Dream at sea today and just witnessed a first on a cruise. Man overboard calls went up immediately. The Disney crew acted fast. Lots of prayers on this ship! Both the little girl and her dad were rescued.”
Disney Cruise Line later confirmed the incident, praising their crew’s quick and skilled response that ensured the safe return of both passengers within minutes. They emphasized their commitment to guest safety and highlighted the success of their protocols.
Many were stunned that such an accident could happen given the plexiglass barriers installed along the ship’s railings. However, Reddit users noted that the child fell from Deck 4, an area with a walking and jogging track. The exact details of how she fell remain unclear, but it’s certain her father was close enough to jump in immediately.
Another guest, posting as metzd87, shared more details: “Not docked, halfway between the Bahamas and Ft. Lauderdale, ship fully moving. We heard ‘Mr. M.O.B port side.’ I ran to the 11th deck and saw life preservers being thrown. About 10 minutes later, a lifeboat launched, and they found the pair within minutes. The man treaded water for at least 20 minutes.”
Given the difficulty of performing a rescue from a moving ship, saving both the girl and her father was extraordinary. The crew’s rigorous training, including frequent emergency drills, proved vital in turning chaos into coordinated action.
A passenger named Chandler filmed the rescue and posted the video on TikTok, providing a rare real-time look at the intense event. She described hearing a scream—likely from the child’s mother—followed by a loud splash that sounded like hitting pavement. This noise sent her and her family rushing to their balcony.
The ship was in open water between Nassau and Grand Bahama Island, far from port, which intensified the urgency. After hearing the “MOB port side” alert, flotation devices were thrown into the sea, and a rescue team quickly launched in a yellow speedboat. The video shows the boat speeding toward the floating father and daughter, who were then brought aboard to applause.
The rescue began around 11:15 a.m., and both were safely aboard by 11:47 a.m. Chandler admitted she feared they wouldn’t be found, telling her 9-year-old daughter to prepare for the worst.
Following the rescue, the captain addressed passengers, confirming both were safe and reminding everyone to follow safety rules for the rest of the voyage.
Reactions online varied widely—from praise for the father’s bravery to shock and some harsh judgment. One person called the dad a hero whose “heart fell overboard and he went and got it back.” Others were moved by the ordeal, expressing empathy and awe at the father’s determination.
But criticism also arose, questioning how the fall happened and accusing the father of negligence or endangerment. Some comments were harsh, even calling for legal consequences, while others urged compassion and understanding, noting that the experience was punishment enough.
Most agreed the incident underscores how quickly accidents can happen and highlights a parent’s fierce love in moments of crisis.
This story comes shortly after another dramatic rescue—one with a less fortunate outcome.
On June 19, 2025, 28-year-old Khaled Elgamal was hiking the Bow Glacier Falls trail in Banff National Park when a sudden landslide sent rocks crashing down. Hiking with his roommate, Hamza Benhilal, the two had chosen this quieter trail on a recommendation.
During the hike, a massive rockfall occurred. Benhilal warned Elgamal to run, saving his life, but Elgamal was struck and knocked down by falling rocks, blacking out multiple times. Despite severe injuries, he made it down the mountain, where fellow hikers helped him.
Elgamal later learned his friend Benhilal had been buried under the rubble.
The two had become close friends after meeting in an online MBA program and moving to British Columbia. Elgamal described Benhilal as not only a friend but like a big brother, a generous and wise person he trusted deeply.