US4 min(s) read
Published 10:40 29 Jul 2026 GMT
The Louisiana woman has revealed the brutal reality of her recovery after suffering a 'catastrophic' rope swing injury.
Kirsten Lindsey was travelling on a Carnival Cruise when she and her boyfriend, Blake Ford, decided to take part go on a rope swing after the ship docked in Honduras.
According to Blake, the activity went horribly wrong after what they believe was a malfunction involving the swing.
"What was supposed to be Kirsten’s first cruise turned into the worst experience of our lives," he wrote on the couple's GoFundMe page.
"Kirsten was seriously injured during a rope swing excursion.
"Based on what we witnessed, a retrieval/tag line appears to have been improperly connected to the swing."
Blake said after Kirsten swung out, 'the line tightened between her legs just before she dropped, causing a catastrophic injury'.
At first, the couple believed she had only suffered a minor cut, as 'she even walked back to their transportation trying to laugh through the pain'.
"Within hours, everything changed," Blake wrote.
"The swelling became severe, the pain became unbearable, and she eventually needed a wheelchair just to get back to our cabin."
"I called 911 from the ship, and she was rushed to the medical center where doctors treated her for hours. The swelling continued to worsen until it had reached roughly the size of a baseball," he added.
Blake later revealed the injury caused her private parts to swell to around the size of a 'grapefruit.'
After spending more than 12 hours receiving treatment in the ship's medical centre, the couple was presented with several options, including remaining onboard in the ship's medical facility or seeking treatment at a hospital in Mexico.
Instead, they chose to arrange an air evacuation back to the US.
"We chose the air evacuation because we believed it was the best way to get Kirsten the care she needed," Blake explained.
The decision came at a high cost, though, as Blake shared that the treatment onboard the ship totalled around $3,500 (£2,600), while the emergency evacuation ultimately cost more than $50,000 (£37,614).
The couple has also been left covering additional medical expenses, travel, accommodation, lost income and other unexpected costs after returning home.
As of this writing, the couple's fundraiser has raised $22,337 of the $26K target.
An update on Kirsten's condition was later shared by Fox San Antonio news anchor Ryan Wolf, who said she wanted to speak publicly in the hope that others could avoid suffering a similar ordeal.
"Kirsten underwent reconstructive surgery to repair the extensive injuries she suffered in the accident. Her family says her surgeons were able to successfully repair the damage," he wrote in a post on Facebook.
"While she still has a long road ahead, they say her doctors are encouraged by her prognosis.
"After being medically evacuated back to the United States for emergency treatment, Kirsten has now made it home to Louisiana, where she’s focusing on healing physically and emotionally, one day at a time."
According to Wolf, Kirsten still faces follow-up appointments, pelvic floor therapy, pain management and months of rehabilitation before she can return to normal life.
Speaking publicly following her surgery, the woman urged travellers not to assume excursions are safe simply because they appear online or are available in popular tourist destinations.
"Please don’t assume an excursion is safe simply because it’s offered or looks fun online," she said.
"Ask questions, inspect the equipment if you can, trust your instincts, and never let the excitement of the moment outweigh your safety.
"One split second can change your life forever."
Following the incident, Carnival Cruise Line reiterated that the rope swing activity was not organized or recommended by the company.
A spokesperson said: "We are aware of reports regarding a guest who was injured while independently exploring Honduras.
"After returning to the ship, the guest was promptly cared for by our onboard medical team, which provided treatment and facilitated access to additional medical resources.
"While the incident did not occur on a Carnival-sponsored excursion, we remain concerned for the guest's recovery.
"The safety and well-being of our guests is always our top priority," they concluded.
4 min(s) read
.webp_QQJmGo?tr=cr-345.0.1535.1190,f-webp,q-70,w-1024)
3 min(s) read
us4 min(s) read
world3 min(s) read
us2 min(s) read
us4 min(s) read
world3 min(s) read
Published 10:44 24 Jul 2026 GMT
A Louisiana woman who was left needing medical attention after a rope swinging excursion has shared photos of the incident for the first time.
Kirsten Lindsey was enjoying a day out while the Carnival Cruise ship she was on had docked in Honduras, and she decided to take part in an outdoor activity.
She decided to try rope swinging, which involves holding onto a rope while swinging over a body of water, before letting go and jumping in.
However, when Kirsten went, her boyfriend Blake told WFLA that "the line suddenly tightened between Kirsten’s legs just before she dropped."
While they believed that it was nothing more than "a scratch" at first, the situation worsened for Kirsten as the hours passed by.
She realized that she had sustained a "catastrophic" genital injury, which threw a spanner into her vacation plans.
Following Carnival Cruises' claim that the activity was neither sponsored nor recommended by them, Kirsten launched a GoFundMe after spending tens of thousands of dollars on treatment.
Kirsten spoke about her genital trauma and how it only happened on the third day of her cruise trip.
Writing on the GoFundMe, Blake recalled: "What was supposed to be Kirsten’s first cruise turned into the worst experience of our lives.
"Kirsten was seriously injured during a rope swing excursion. Based on what we witnessed, a retrieval/tag line appears to have been improperly connected to the swing.
"As she swung out, the line tightened between her legs just before she dropped, causing a catastrophic injury."
He went on: "Within hours, everything changed, the swelling became severe, the pain became unbearable, and she eventually needed a wheelchair just to get back to our cabin."
The couple had to pay $4,000 after over 12 hours in the ship's medical center, where she received treatment.
They were given options on what to do next, turning down the possibility of spending the rest of the cruise in the ship's medical facility or going to a hospital in Mexico.
The pair wanted to arrange an emergency air evacuation, setting them back around $20,000, with it then costing an additional $30,000 to get back to the US, as Blake explained: "We chose the air evacuation because we believed it was the best way to get Kirsten the care she needed."
As her condition worsened, Kirsten was left with "grapefruit-sized lady bits."
Taking to Facebook on Thursday (July 23), she warned against donating to fake fundraisers made in her boyfriend's name.
She explained: "We have one GoFundMe account and that is it,
"Please be aware and don’t let people scam you trying to profit from my injuries. I can’t believe I’m even having to get on here to say this."
Kirsten underwent surgery for the injury and received treatment at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Louisiana.
Blake added: "They were completely shocked she was even discharged from the last hospital so early but now thank god we’re home and with OUR doctors and not the ones Carnival sent us to!
"Everyone that’s seen the injury has never seen anything like it, but they are doing everything they can to prevent permanent damage to her… grapefruit sized lady bits."
Following the incident, a spokesperson from Carnival Cruise Line has provided a statement.
They said: "We are aware of reports regarding a guest who was injured while independently exploring Honduras.
"After returning to the ship, the guest was promptly cared for by our onboard medical team, which provided treatment and facilitated access to additional medical resources.
"While the incident did not occur on a Carnival-sponsored excursion, we remain concerned for the guest's recovery. The safety and well-being of our guests is always our top priority," they concluded.
Published 09:22 23 Jul 2026 GMT
A woman was left needing multiple surgeries after an emergency evacuation, following a day out during a cruise.
Kirsten Lindsey was on a Carnival Cruise when it docked in Honduras, and she decided to go on an excursion involving rope swinging.
Unfortunately for the Louisiana woman, the adventurous activity would leave her in the hospital with genital trauma.
The risk is always there with outlandish activities such as this one, but many wouldn't have expected this one to become as severe as it has.
Kirsten was only on the third day of her first cruise when she suffered a "catastrophic saddle injury" after swinging on a rope.
Together with her boyfriend Blake, the couple needed to fork out tens of thousands of dollars to receive the specialist medical treatment required, as per WFLA.
Blake recalled that the retrieval line was improperly connected to the rope, becoming caught between Kirsten's legs as she swung over the water.
He recalled: "The line suddenly tightened between Kirsten’s legs just before she dropped."
While it first appeared as nothing more than a scratch, it swelled up to the size of a baseball within hours, causing immense amounts of pain.
Kirsten would spend over 12 hours in the ship's medical center receiving treatment, which set the couple back around $4,000 before they could leave.
To get her back to the US for further treatment, they would need to spend even more money, after deciding not to spend the rest of the cruise in the ship's medical facility or going to a hospital in Mexico.
The couple chose to pay for an emergency air evacuation, which set them back around $20,000 simply to leave Costa Maya.
It would then cost $30,000 to get back to the US, as Blake explained: "We chose the air evacuation because we believed it was the best way to get Kirsten the care she needed."
After hours of delays, the couple ended up at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where Kirsten had her first of at least two surgeries.
Genital trauma is scary, and it is a risk with activities such as rope swinging, despite how innocent and fun it can look from the outside.
Following the incident, a spokesperson from Carnival Cruise Line has provided a statement to the publication.
They said: "We are aware of reports regarding a guest who was injured while independently exploring Honduras.
"After returning to the ship, the guest was promptly cared for by our onboard medical team, which provided treatment and facilitated access to additional medical resources.
"While the incident did not occur on a Carnival-sponsored excursion, we remain concerned for the guest's recovery. The safety and well-being of our guests is always our top priority," they concluded.
Published 15:54 07 Jun 2026 GMT
A recent high school graduate is now taking legal action against a cruise handler after she lost both her legs in a freak accident during an excursion on holiday in the Bahamas.
Hannah Smith, now 23, was on a celebratory post-graduation trip with her childhood friend last year when she was sucked beneath a catamaran and struck by the propeller, suffering injuries so horrendous that both her legs had to be amputated.
According to the lawsuit the Memphis native has filed against Carnival Cruise Line and the excursion operators, she lost 60% of her blood in the accident that could have killed her.
It has been alleged by Smith’s attorneys that the young woman was lured and coerced into accepting "complimentary" alcohol and marijuana while on the excursion before they boarded the ferry back to Nassau.
The lawsuit also claims that the catamaran ferry was improperly docked and unsecured, and crew members were inadequately trained.
According to Smith, the incident occurred when a crew member recommended that she enter the water to urinate while the boat was docked.
Brooklyn Pitre, Smith’s friend who witnessed the life-changing accident, said she heard Smith enter the water, then watched her submerge before resurfacing around three seconds later.
Describing the moment to local Memphis outlet WREG, Pitre said: "She was like, get me. And me and another woman had met on the cruise ship during the excursion with us.
"We pulled her out, and then there was like a lot of blood in the water."
The sporty student underwent two surgeries in the Bahamas shortly after the incident in May 2025. She was later flown back to the US for further reconstructive procedures.
However, it is not just the physical impact of losing her legs that will stay with Smith. The attorneys representing her are seeking a jury trial as she has suffered physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, disfigurement, and PTSD as a result of her injuries.
The founding partner of Brais Law Firm, Keith S. Brais, said in a statement: “Our client, Hannah Smith, was a bright, accomplished young woman celebrating a tremendous academic milestone when she suffered these horrific injuries.
“We are fully committed to pursuing justice on her behalf and holding accountable those responsible for the sequence of unsafe decisions that resulted in this life-altering tragedy.”
Reportedly, Carnival Cruise Line is trying to dismiss the case, arguing that it does not own the tour companies that were involved in the excursion where the incident occurred.
Published 11:59 23 May 2025 GMT
There's been a tragic update regarding a tourist who was sucked into a boat's propeller and tragically had her legs torn off.
Hannah Smith, a 22-year-old Alabama native, had just graduated Summa Cum Laude from Miles College with a degree in communications and graphic design and was celebrating with friends on a Caribbean getaway when tragedy struck.
During an excursion to Pearl Island, Hannah fell from a pontoon boat while it was docking at Nassau Cruise Port and was sucked beneath the vessel by its spinning propeller.
Her injuries were catastrophic, but her survival, nothing short of miraculous.
Two female passengers managed to pull her from the water, saving her life. She was rushed to a local hospital and later airlifted to the U.S. for emergency surgery.
Her sister, Rachel Smith, has been keeping supporters updated through a GoFundMe appeal, where she revealed Hannah’s condition remains critical due to ongoing complications.
“Hannah suffered a few setbacks. She had to undergo additional transfusions of blood, platelets, and dialysis. Before she was taken into her scheduled surgery, she momentarily came out of her sedation,” Rachel wrote.
“She was able to acknowledge our presence and encouraging words with head nods and squeezing our hands. She has underwent her fifth surgery. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.”
While Hannah remains in intensive care, questions surrounding the circumstances of the accident have sparked heated debate, per the Mirror.
Initial reports suggested alcohol might have been a factor, with rumors that she had jumped into the water. But her mother, Tracy Smith, is setting the record straight.
“Hannah was not intoxicated. She fell from the boat. It's hurtful to say she jumped because she did not,” Tracy said.
Tracy also voiced her frustration that police hadn't interviewed Hannah's best friend, Brooklyn Pitre, who witnessed the accident.
“These kids work their a***s off to graduate. It was a celebratory trip,” she said. “Do they have fun? Yes. Were they drunk? No. Did she jump? No. Are we completely aware of what happened? No.
“But could there have been a safety mechanism that was off, was the boat rocking, we are not 100 percent sure of that. There are so many things that could have been happening. I want to know the truth. This was a young woman, happy, celebrating her life and now she's fighting for it.”
Her father, Marvin Smith, echoed that sentiment, saying doctors confirmed she was lucid upon arrival. “Everything he told me suggested she was coherent” and “not inebriated,” he said.
According to reports, the accident occurred around 3:55PM as the pontoon ferry approached the port, per the Daily Mail.
Witnesses say the captain immediately shut off the engine after hearing screams of “she jumped off” followed by a loud bang from the boat’s starboard side. He then spotted Hannah in the water surrounded by a pool of blood.
A witness confirmed to police that two passengers managed to pull her back on board before she was rushed to hospital with severe injuries.
The Royal Bahamas Police issued a statement saying: “The victim is alleged to have entered the water from a vessel she was a passenger on while it was attempting to dock. She sustained serious injuries to her lower body, caused by the vessel's propeller.”
Back home, her alma mater is rallying around her. Miles College shared on Facebook: “Sending our deepest prayers and support to recent graduate Hannah Smith, Summa Cum Laude Class of 2025, who is currently in critical condition.
Hannah exemplifies the Golden Standard, and we are believing in her full recovery. We ask our Miles family and extended community to keep her lifted in prayer and to support however you can.”
Published 16:40 12 Jul 2024 GMT
.webp_ke6C2y?tr=cr-169.8.1505.1344,f-webp,q-70,w-100)
.webp_QQJmGo?tr=cr-345.0.1535.1190,f-webp,q-70,w-100)