The search for an Australian man who fell into the ocean from a cruise ship was officially suspended and he was assumed dead.
Warwick Tollemache, a 35-year-old Australian national, was a passenger traveling with his mother on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, sailing from Brisbane to Honolulu. The unfortunate event took place on Tuesday, April 25, around 11 p.m. local time, approximately 500 miles south of Kailua Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Following the incident, the ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue mission, remaining at the location for nearly two hours. However, they were unable to locate Tollemache. Local authorities assumed responsibility for the search as the cruise ship resumed its voyage. Royal Caribbean confirmed their crew’s diligent efforts, working in collaboration with the relevant authorities.
The US Coast Guard conducted an exhaustive search the following morning, completing five missions over a six-hour period. Nevertheless, on Thursday, they announced the suspension of the search after consulting with Tollemache’s family. Kevin Cooper, a search and rescue operation coordinator at Honolulu’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center, stated that the decision was made after evaluating all available information.
Heartbreaking news of the incident spread quickly, prompting friends and family members of Tollemache to share their grief and heartfelt tributes on social media. Speaking on behalf of the family, his mom, Mandy Tollemache described him as a kind, gentle, and beautiful soul who will be sorely missed. Terence Dicks, a close friend, expressed immense sorrow and the pain of knowing that he would never see or embrace his friend again.
The circumstances surrounding the passenger’s fall from the ship remain unclear; however, one passenger reported that multiple passengers claimed two crew members witnessed Tollermache falling overboard.
“A woman heard a scream, stepped out onto her balcony, and saw him plummet, strike the tender underneath, and plunge into the water,” the passenger informed Sky News.
This incident occurred after a woman’s earlier death on the cruise due to a medical emergency.