The U.S. Coast guard has confirmed that a 10-year-old girl drowned in a swimming pool on board a cruise ship over the weekend.
The Associated Press noted that Petty Officer 2nd Class Nate Littlejohn said the child drowned in a pool on the Norwegian Gem, which was off the coast of the Carolina’s at the time of the incident.
The ship made its way to a port in Florida and the Coast Guard was notified.
A spokeswoman for the cruise liner released the following statement:
"We are extremely saddened to have learned that a guest passed away on Sunday aboard the Norwegian Gem," the statement said. "On Sunday afternoon, the ship's medical team responded to an emergency call from the pool deck, as a ten-year-old female guest was reported unresponsive. The team quickly administered CPR and full emergency care. After extensive efforts, the guest could not be revived.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this very difficult time. Norwegian's care team is providing full assistance and support to the family.”
The ship had departed from New York and was headed to Florida and the Bahamas for a week-long cruise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day in the U.S. One in five of those deaths are children under the age of 14.
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