Passenger Death Forces Norwegian Epic To Return To Port

mercedes · August 25, 2010

A medical emergency on board Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Epic, forced the ship to return to Miami just hours after setting sail Saturday afternoon. According to authorities, a 21-year old male passenger died of a heart attack after suffering a severe allergic reaction to food that he had eaten that evening. The passenger, Kevin Edouard, of Spring Valley, NY, was traveling with family on the cruise.

A statement released by Norwegian Cruise Lines stated:

"After setting sail on a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise yesterday at approximately 4 pm, Norwegian Epic returned to the Port of Miami at approximately 12:45 am for a medical disembarkation. While the ship was approximately 40 nautical miles from Miami, a guest on board suffered a heart attack and passed away. All local authorities were notified and some met the ship upon arrival. The ship departed at approximately 2:45 am. Norwegian Cruise Line extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the guest's family during this difficult time."

The dead passenger's family disembarked in Miami and local authorities were investigating the incident although at this time there is no evidence to indicate it was anything but an unfortunate allergic reaction. According to medical studies, it is estimated that between 2% to 5% of the adult population has some form of food allergy. The most common foods that trigger allergic reactions in adults include the following: fish and shellfish (such as shrimp), lobster and crab meat, peanuts, tree nuts (such as walnuts) and eggs.

Sunday was scheduled to have been a day at sea and Norwegian Epic so it is expected that the cruise will be able to make up any lost time and no changes to the planned itinerary are expected.