BAHAMAS, Aug 9: A male passenger aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was “sliced open” on Thursday after a section of the Frightening Bolt waterslide cracked mid-ride, leaving him with serious lacerations to his leg and back.

The incident occurred when the slide — located in the ship’s Thrill Island area — suffered a structural failure, exposing a jagged edge. As the guest passed over the broken section, he sustained deep cuts but did not fall through the hole. Immediate medical care was provided on board, and he is currently in stable condition.

Footage taken by other guests shows water gushing from the gaping hole in the colorful acrylic tube as concerned passengers urge the crew to shut down the attraction. The damaged slide, which features a 46-foot drop, trapdoor launch, and a 360-degree loop, is one of the most prominent features of the ship’s Category 6 waterpark—billed as the largest at sea.

In a statement, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said:

“Our team provided medical care to an adult guest when acrylic glass broke off a water slide as the guest passed through the slide. The guest is being treated for his injuries. The water slide is closed for the remainder of the sailing pending an investigation.”

The Icon of the Seas, which embarked on its maiden voyage in January 2024, is the largest cruise ship in operation. Spanning 1,200 feet in length, it accommodates nearly 10,000 people at full capacity and includes six waterslides across decks 16 and 17. It is currently en route to CocoCay, with scheduled stops in St. Maarten, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas, before returning to Miami. Fares for a family of four on the Eastern Caribbean and CocoCay itinerary start at £2,048.

The incident comes just two weeks after a separate tragedy aboard the same vessel. A 35-year-old South African crew member reportedly stabbed a 28-year-old female colleague multiple times off the coast of San Salvador Island, then jumped overboard to his death. The woman survived the attack and received emergency care onboard.

An investigation into the waterslide malfunction is ongoing.