Key Facets:
- A 57-year-old feminine cruise passenger handed away after a freak automobile accident in Ketchikan, Alaska on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
- The automobile crashed by way of a fence and ended up in close by Ketchikan Creek. Bystanders intervened to rescue the motive force.
- 5 cruise ships have been in port on Thursday however no cruise line has launched a press release to verify which vessel the visitor was crusing on.
What ought to have been an gratifying day exploring the Final Frontier changed into tragedy for a cruise traveler who misplaced her life in a site visitors accident in Ketchikan.
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, a 57-year-old lady from Auburn, Indiana was killed in what seems to have been a freak accident.
Based on KTUU Alaska’s Information Supply, the incident occurred at roughly 8:40 a.m. in downtown Ketchikan close to Creek Avenue. A parked automobile abruptly accelerated, broke by way of a close-by fence, and landed in Ketchikan Creek.
A number of pedestrians have been hit whereas bystanders (native residents and vacationers) jumped into the creek to rescue the motive force from the quickly submerging automobile. One bystander, Dylan Self, used a rock to interrupt the automobile’s window to extract the motive force and carried out CPR till emergency personnel might take over.
“I pulled her out and positioned her on high of the roof of the automobile,” Self mentioned. “I began doing CPR and that’s when just a little little bit of water got here out and he or she began making an attempt to get the water out herself.”
The swift-water rescue group from the Ketchikan Fireplace Division pulled individuals from the creek and crews later eliminated the automobile and started repairs.
Two victims have been transported to the PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Heart in crucial situation, and the Indiana lady was later pronounced deceased on the medical heart.
5 cruise ships from three totally different cruise traces have been visiting Ketchikan on Thursday. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Bliss was in port, in addition to Holland America Line’s Eurodam and Koningsdam, together with Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess.
As many as 16,000 cruise company could have been visiting Ketchikan on Thursday, relying on near full capability every ship was booked.
It has not been confirmed which ship the deceased visitor was crusing on. Based mostly on the timing of the ships’ arrivals, nonetheless, it couldn’t have been both Koningsdam or Sapphire Princess, each of which arrived in Ketchikan after the accident.
No cruise line has made a press release in regards to the incident. This can assist safeguard the girl’s privateness and that of her touring companions, relations, and pals at this very upsetting time.
Learn Additionally: Tips on how to Keep Secure and Take pleasure in Your Cruise Trip
Undoubtedly, the accident shall be completely investigated. It’s attainable {that a} medical incident or a mechanical drawback might have contributed to the automobile’s erratic habits and induced the accident.
The incident has not impacted Friday’s cruise visits to Ketchikan, although the boardwalk space the place the accident occurred stays closed as repairs proceed.
Accidents Can Occur in Any Port of Name
Unlucky accidents can and do occur in several ports of name for quite a lot of totally different causes.
Lower than three weeks in the past, a tour bus by chance hit two cruise company in Livorno, Italy, and one handed away from their accidents.
Only one 12 months in the past, in September 2024, a tour bus in Skagway, Alaska overturned and injured 12 cruise visitor passengers. In that accident, the bus driver suffered a medical episode.
An aged lady sadly handed away following an electrical wheelchair malfunction in December 2024 whereas she was visiting St. Maarten on a cruise.
Automobile accidents, together with on scooters and bikes, are frequent causes of crashes. Cruise traces usually warn company to not hire such autos to make use of in port because of unknown or inconsistent security laws.
Some accidents are additionally attributable to foul climate, akin to sturdy winds that contributed to an aged couple’s loss of life in Greece in August 2025.
Whereas hundreds of cruise company so fortunately and safely go to ports of name everywhere in the world, vacationers ought to at all times stay vigilant in unfamiliar locations.
Cruise Passenger Killed in Automobile Incident in Ketchikan, Alaska
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