The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) reported a fatal accident at Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility (Philipsburg) on Thursday afternoon, December 26th, involving the death of an 82-year-old cruise ship passenger.
The incident occurred ~5:00 PM (~9 PM UTC), when the man, using an electric wheelchair, fell into the sea.
Police patrols and medical personnel were promptly dispatched to the scene following the initial report.
Preliminary findings indicate that a malfunction in the passenger’s electric wheelchair may have been a contributing factor in the accident.
Despite swift intervention by emergency responders, efforts to resuscitate the individual were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead on-site.
KPSM extended condolences to the passenger’s family and loved ones during this tragic time. The identity of the deceased and the ship involved have not been officially confirmed. However, a visitor in port suggested the individual may have been a guest of AIDA’s ship AIDAmar.
According to CruiseMapper's St Maarten Port schedule, on Dec 26th the Port was also visited by the ships Queen Mary 2, Emerald Azzurra, P&O Arvia, Symphony Of The Seas, and Celebrity Ascent.