Passenger Injured as Water Slide Malfunctions on World’s Largest Cruise Ship
A shocking water slide malfunction on board the Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas resulted in injury to a passenger. An acrylic glass panel shattered while the guest was using the slide, causing the injury. The incident took place on Thursday, as the world’s largest cruise ship was sailing in the Eastern Caribbean.
Passenger Jim Muldoon captured video footage of the incident, showing water gushing from a massive hole in the ‘Frightening Bolt’ slide, as horrified passengers watched from below. The slide, a part of the Category 6 waterpark – touted as the “largest waterpark at sea“, was immediately shut down for investigation.
A spokesperson from Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident, stating, “Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through the slide. The guest is being treated for his injuries. The water slide is closed for the remainder of the sailing pending an investigation.” The injured passenger is currently in stable condition and has received medical attention on board.
This incident has brought to light the ongoing safety concerns in the cruise industry. As a precautionary measure, similar slides on the sister ship, Star of the Seas, have also been closed for maintenance. The Icon of the Seas, carrying 5,610 passengers, returned to Port Miami on Saturday following the incident.
Source: ABC News