Boy dies after falling from cruise ship railing, police investigating

( NewsNation ) — A 12-year-old boy died falling off the railing of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, and police are now investigating.

The child died Sept. 7 after he fell six stories from a cabin down to a central gathering area where many of the bars, restaurants and shops are, according to a report from People .

The cruise line received reports that the boy was playing with friends he met during the birthday celebration trip when he fell over a railing, according to cruise tracker CruiseMapper .

The ship was headed for Galveston, Texas , as its final stop of a seven-day Caribbean voyage. Still receiving medical aid, the boy died before the ship docked.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests,” a Caribbean spokesperson told People in a statement. “Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time.”

The cruise line did not offer additional details.

In 2019, a 16-year-old boy also fell to his death aboard the ship Harmony of the Seas, although fatal cruise ship falls are relatively uncommon.

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