Memphis woman sues Carnival Cruise after losing both legs in excursion accident

A lawsuit has been filed in Miami against Carnival Cruise Line and two Bahamas excursion operators in the wake of the devastating accident during a graduation trip last year.

The serious incident occurs when a 23-year-old Hannah Smith Miles College graduate who also attended Overton High School, was celebrating her graduation with her childhood friend. She was pulled under the back of a catamaran ferry and repeatedly struck by its propeller.

The lawsuit claims that Smith lost 60% of her blood and suffered devastating injuries that required both legs to be removed surgically. 

Her attorneys allege excursion employees tricked, coerced and enticed Smith and her friends into consuming dangerously large amounts of alcohol mixed with marijuana before they boarded the return ferry to Nassau. 

The lawsuit further alleges that the catamaran ferry was left unprotected, and that the crew members lacked necessary training. Smith entered the water while the boat was docked because a crew member suggested it as an easy way to relieve herself.

Smith’s friends Brooklyn and Smith entered the water and saw her disappear beneath the surface for about three seconds. 

Concerning the situation, Smith resurfaced and reached out her hand for help. Pitre and another passenger pulled her out of the water while noticing a massive amount of blood in the waves.

“And she was like, get 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,” said Pitre.

Smith underwent two immediate surgeries in the Bahamas before being flown back to the United States for numerous procedures. 

The lawsuit analyzes that Smith suffered severe physical pain, disability, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life, and PTSD. Due to these traumatic injuries, her attorneys are seeking a jury trial.