2 American fatalities on deadly day at Bahamas resort: Cops

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Officials say two Americans are dead following apparent drownings in separate incidents at the same Bahamas resort.

The drownings — involving a 79-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman — happened at Celebration Key, a new $600-million private resort for Carnival Cruise Line guests. The resort opened in July.

“Our lifeguards and medical team responded to two separate emergency incidents at Celebration Key on Friday — one in the lagoon and one at the beach. Sadly, both guests have passed away,” Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement issued on Saturday, per ABC News.

One of the drowning victims was a passenger on the Carnival Cruise Line ship Mardi Gras while the other was a passenger aboard the Carnival Elation, the cruise line said.

Both victims were travelling with their families at the time, according to Carnival.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the guests and their families and our care team is providing assistance,” the Carnival statement said.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force told ABC News that it’s leading the investigations into both deaths.

A 79-year-old man became unresponsive just before noon on Friday while snorkeling off one of the Celebration Key beaches, the police statement said.

“A lifeguard assisted him from the water and CPR was administered, but to no avail. The male who is reported to be an American national was pronounced deceased by a medical doctors,” the statement said.

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Carnival Cruise Lines said it is co-operating with law enforcement in the investigation of the deaths.

“We are saddened by the loss of our guests. We have trained lifeguards and medical professionals who respond promptly,” the company said.

A few hours later at about 2:30 p.m. on Friday, a 74-year-old woman was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at the resort, according to police.

A lifeguard pulled the woman from the water and performed CPR, but was not able to revive her.

“As a result, the female, who was reported to be an American national, was pronounced deceased by a medical doctors,” the police statement said.

Autopsies were scheduled to be performed to determine the exact causes of death, according to police. The names of the tourists were not immediately released.

Elsewhere on Saturday, a 63-year-old American was attacked by a shark around 1 p.m. while spearfishing off Big Grand Cay in the Bahamas, according to the Royal Bahamas Police force.

The man, whose name was not released, was treated at a local clinic for what police described as “severe injuries.” Police said he was airlifted to the U.S. for additional treatment.