A Carnival Cruise passenger recalled the heroic efforts of strangers attempting to rescue one of the two American tourists who drowned at the cruise line’s newly opened $600 million private resort.

Arkansas resident John Kopta was enjoying a getaway at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island, exploring the Caribbean beach with his wife on August 15 just before noon, when tragedy struck.

The couple noticed a fellow snorkeler at the bottom of the shallow water not moving and Kopta jumped into action.

“I’m a dad, a grandpa and once the adrenaline kicks in, you’re not thinking anything,” Kopta told 5News.

Kopta, his wife and a third beach-goer rushed to the unidentified 79-year-old man’s side and pulled him out of the water. 6

“I look, I can see him, and I said, ‘oh my God,'” Kopt

See Full Page