Cruise Passenger Killed in Bus Accident at Honolulu Port

One person has been reported dead, and several others were injured after a shuttle bus accident that occurred at the Honolulu cruise port pier on Friday morning.

Shuttle bus collided with cruise guests

The bus collided with pedestrians and concrete barriers at the Pier 2 cruise terminal where Carnival Miracle was docked.

The bus driver was informed the bus was not motionless and was moving forward. He jumped in the seat but mistakenly pressed down on the gas instead of the brakes. It then careered into a group of pedestrians. The impact claimed the life of a 68-year-old woman from Illinois.

She was on a cruise to celebrate her 46th wedding anniversary. Her husband was injured but is expected to make a full recovery.

Jessica Lani Rich, CEO of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH) is assisting the husband with bereavement support. Rich said the couple were traveling with other family members also celebrating their wedding anniversary. “This was the Hawaii vacation of their lifetime. The victim had always dreamed of coming to Hawaii, ” Rich added.

Rich said the two couples were waiting to board the bus to go shopping in Honolulu when “it happened so quickly.” Funded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and other tourism stakeholders, VASH provides emotional and practical help for Hawaii tourists in crisis. 

In a statement, Carnival said, “Nine Carnival Miracle guests were hit by a shuttle bus in the transportation area outside the Honolulu cruise terminal on Friday morning, April 12. Sadly, one guest has died from her injuries. She was traveling with her husband, who was also injured and is expected to recover. Members of the Carnival Care Team are assisting the guests. Our thoughts are with the guests affected and their loved ones.”

Several other guests were treated for injuries

Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Shayne Enright said paramedics transported at least four others to hospital, with one in a serious condition. Several others were treated at the scene. Most of them, including the woman who died, were guests on the Carnival Miracle. 

Carnival Miracle is on a 15-night Hawaii cruise from Long Beach, California.