Miles College grad sues after losing her legs in horrifying accident on cruise ship Bahamas excursion

A 2025 Miles College graduate is taking legal action against Carnival Cruise Line and several excursion operators following a catastrophic accident in the Bahamas that resulted in the loss of both her legs. Hannah Smith, 23, filed a 113-page federal lawsuit in Miami alleging that systemic negligence by the excursion entities forever altered her life during what was supposed to be a celebratory vacation with her best friend.

The Details of the Incident

Smith, an artist who graduated summa cum laude from Miles College on May 3, 2025, with a degree in communications and a focus on graphic design, was traveling with her friend, Brooklyn Pitre, to mark their academic accomplishments. On their first day, the duo booked a Pearl Island Beach Escape excursion via the Carnival mobile app.

The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of the excursion experience. It alleges that staff members consistently harassed the women, leading them into a secluded cabana and coercing them into heavy consumption of alcohol—spiked with a drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) substance—alongside marijuana use. According to the court filing, Smith was pressured into consuming a significant amount of alcohol in a span of just 90 minutes.

A Fateful Decision

Upon returning to the cruise terminal in Nassau via a catamaran ferry, the situation turned tragic. With no accessible restroom facilities on the vessel, a crew member reportedly instructed Smith to use the platform on the side of the boat typically reserved for water access. Because the catamaran’s inboard engines and propellers were located under the pontoons, the vessel posed a hidden danger.

The suit claims that as Smith lowered herself into the water, she was unaware the propellers were still running. She was violently pulled under the boat, suffering severe lacerations to her lower extremities. Despite the severity of the incident, Smith managed to kick herself free. When pulled from the water, her left leg was nearly severed, and she had lost over 60 percent of her blood.

The Path Forward and Legal Battle

Smith was transported to a hospital in Nassau before being airlifted to HCA Kendall Hospital in Miami. She underwent more than 25 surgeries, including the amputation of both legs, the second of which occurred on May 23, 2025. After completing physical therapy in August 2025, she now faces a long road toward recovery involving prosthetics and ongoing psychological support.

Carnival has moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that it holds no liability for independent tour operators in foreign ports. The company maintains that shore excursions are operated by third parties and that guests engage in these activities at their own risk. Smith’s legal team is pushing for a jury trial to seek damages for the life-altering injuries she sustained.