Brit cruise passenger, 73, killed in Bahamas on vacation after jet ski smashes into rock
The woman, who is a dual national of Britain and Czechia, was declared dead at the scene after medics tried to save her – an investigation is now under way by Bahamian authorities
A British holidaymaker has tragically died in a jet ski accident after colliding with a rock while zooming around in the Bahamas. The 73 year old, who had the adventure cut short, is said to have “lost control” of her jet ski before smashing into the hard surface.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force has reported that the unfortunate incident unfolded on Saturday at Half Moon Cay – an island famous for its pristine “white-sand beaches, a turquoise lagoon and untouched nature“. Despite the medical team’s best efforts, the tourist was pronounced dead at the idyllic spot.
Currently, Bahamian officials are piecing together the chain of events in their investigation.
Clues surfaced that the deceased was travelling as a guest aboard the Holland America cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam and held dual nationality with Britain and Czechia.
As the sad news broke, the cruise company made contact with the woman’s next of kin, pledging full support during this heart-wrenching time. The luxury liner had been moored at the island – which exclusively welcomes guests from Carnival and Holland America cruises – when catastrophe struck on the seventh day out of a fortnight’s voyage through the eastern and western Caribbean.
Setting sail from Fort Lauderdale in the States on March the 16th, the vessel is known to play host to upwards of 2,000 revellers. The Nieuw Amsterdam now sails on with its schedule, set sights on Jamaica today, followed by stops at Grand Cayman Island, Mexico, and finally docking back in Florida come Sunday, reports the Mirror.
Police were summoned to the RelaxAway private beach club shortly after 1pm when the island manager reported an incident. Initial investigations revealed that the woman had lost control of the jet ski and collided with a rock.
In a statement, they added: “Medical personnel rendered assistance to the victim but to no avail. She was pronounced deceased by the local medical doctor.”
Meanwhile, Holland America told People Magazine it “regrets too confirm that a passenger onboard Nieuw Amsterdam passed away following a tragic incident on a personal watercraft”.
The statement continued: “The guest, a 73-year-old woman, died on March 22 while the ship was calling at Half Moon Cay, The Bahamas. We are in contact with the guest’s family and doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time.
“The accident is currently being investigated by the Bahamian authorities. Out of respect for the family and guest, we do not have any further information to share.”
Half Moon Cay is a private crescent-shaped island set to undergo upgrades next year. It has also been named ‘Best Private Island’ for 20 consecutive years, according to the cruise line.
The island is renowned for its ‘beauty and amenities’, including snorkelling, kayaking and nature walks. Both Holland America and Carnival highlight Half Moon Cay as a standout destination for cruise passengers “seeking tranquillity or adventure”.
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