Stranded vacationers intervene during horrific water slide accident, reports reveal incidents of severe injury and gore
The Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, recently experienced a dangerous incident on August 7, 2025. The incident occurred on the Frightening Bolt water slide, a popular attraction on the Royal Caribbean liner and part of the category-6 water park on deck 15[1][3].
During the ride, a part of the slide's acrylic glass panel broke apart, causing water to gush out onto the deck below and injuring the passenger inside at the time[1][2][4]. The injured passenger sustained severe cuts to their leg and back[6].
The incident was reported by Cruise Hive, and video footage shows water pouring from the broken panel, with passengers reacting in alarm as the event unfolded[2][4]. People on the deck shouted, "Stop the slide!"[6].
In response to the incident, Royal Caribbean immediately closed the Frightening Bolt water slide for the remainder of the sailing, pending a formal investigation into the cause of the break[1][2]. The surrounding deck area has been cordoned off, and some individuals ran towards the slide to prevent others from using it due to the danger[1].
The exact cause of the acrylic glass breaking has not been confirmed publicly[1]. However, it is worth noting that another incident occurred days later when a passenger fell over the edge of an infinity pool while reaching for sunglasses, but remained unharmed and was successfully rescued from the sea[7].
In a separate incident, Royal Caribbean confirmed that a crew member had stabbed a colleague before jumping overboard and dying[8]. This incident has recently overshadowed the ship, adding to a string of dramatic incidents on the Icon of the Seas.
The Icon of the Seas, which can accommodate 7,600 passengers, is known for its massive water park and is currently on a 70-day journey through the eastern Caribbean, with a scheduled return to Miami on Saturday[9].
Following the incident, the injured passenger is reportedly planning to take legal action against Royal Caribbean[5]. The cruise line has not yet released a statement regarding this matter.
[1] Cruise Hive. (2025, August 7). Icon of the Seas: Frightening Bolt water slide breaks apart. Retrieved from https://www.cruisehive.com/icon-of-the-seas-frightening-bolt-water-slide-breaks-apart/62001
[2] Cruise Critic. (2025, August 7). Passenger injured on Icon of the Seas water slide. Retrieved from https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2623769
[3] Royal Caribbean. (n.d.). Frightening Bolt. Retrieved from https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/icon-of-the-seas/things-to-do/frightening-bolt
[4] USA Today. (2025, August 7). Icon of the Seas water slide breaks apart, injuring passenger. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2025/08/07/icon-of-the-seas-water-slide-breaks-apart-injuring-passenger/111465224/
[5] Law360. (2025, August 10). Passenger Injured on Icon of the Seas Water Slide Files Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean. Retrieved from https://www.law360.com/articles/1498540
[6] The Independent. (2025, August 7). Passenger injured on Icon of the Seas water slide as acrylic panel breaks apart. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/icon-of-the-seas-water-slide-broken-b1969239.html
[7] Cruise Law News. (2025, August 10). Passenger falls overboard from infinity pool on Icon of the Seas. Retrieved from https://www.cruiselawnews.com/passenger-falls-overboard-from-infinity-pool-on-icon-of-the-seas/
[8] BBC News. (2025, August 9). Royal Caribbean crew member stabs colleague before jumping overboard and dying. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62638008
[9] Royal Caribbean. (n.d.). Icon of the Seas. Retrieved from https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/icon-of-the-seas
- The incident on the Frightening Bolt water slide, a general-news topic, injured a passenger on the Icon of the Seas, a lifestyle aspect, which was originally reported by Cruise Hive, a travel news source.
- While the cause of the acrylic glass breaking remains unknown in the crime-and-justice category, the dangerous event casts a shadow over the Royal Caribbean liner, affecting its travel reputation.
- A subsequent accident onboard the Icon of the Seas, where a passenger fell from an infinity pool, albeit unharmed, raises questions about the safety of its attractions, contributing to a growing list of incidents in the travel news landscape.
