Search for missing cruise girl criticised

SERIOUS questions have been raised by passengers about the search efforts made by the cruise liner from which an Irish teenager fell to her apparent death 11 days ago.

A number of people who travelled on the same ship as tragic Lynsey O’Brien from Terenure have said they believe the Costa Magica liner did not begin searching very quickly. The 15-year-old was on a seven-day cruise out of Floriday with her family when she fell overboard from the balcony of the seventh deck cabin she was sharing with her younger sisters.

“I know it took at least 20 minutes for the ship to even slow down. My son was in the hall when the father was running for someone to stop the boat and get some help,” said American, Kim Champagne.

“By no means did the ship break through anyone’s cabin intercom searching for her or asking anyone if they had seen her. I had 18 people with my party and nobody was asked if they had seen her,” Ms Champagne said.

Another passenger, Balinda Lawrence from Arizona, said she was not happy with the search efforts either and queried reports that helicopters and patrol boats had rushed to the scene.

“My husband and I were on that cruise and were amazed by the lack of any boats, helicopters or announcements. We were up at sunrise and looking out over our balcony. There were no helicopters or boats,” she said.

“My heart goes out to the family of Lynsey as I also have a 15-year-old and can’t imagine what they must have gone and must be still going through.”

These claims support weekend reports from sources close to the O’Brien family that the ship carried on at full speed for at least 15 minutes after the alarm was raised. The family friend who was also on the cruise questioned whether the area where Lynsey fell was where the ship eventually returned to search.

The revelations came as Lynsey’s parents Paul and Sandra, her sisters Kelly (17), Imelda (12) and Dean (8) attended a memorial Mass at the Church of St Pius in Templeogue. The service was also attended by Lynsey’s classmates from Loreto Beaufort in Rathfarnham.