Carnival Spirit inquest: Bravery Award Recommended After Cruise Ship Deaths
by 3news.co.nz
Police are recommending an Australian man who plunged nearly 20 meters to his death after his girlfriend apparently slipped over the side of a cruise ship be awarded the Cross of Valour.
An inquest into the 2013 deaths of Paul Rossington, 30, and Kristen Schroder, 26, has heard how the romantic 10-day cruise was a “make or break” moment for their relationship.
“It’s going to be awesome to have the most important people in my world around me for 10 days,” Ms Schroder wrote on Facebook before the trip.
CCTV footage taken on board the Carnival Spirit on the final night of their trip shows the pair playing pokies, exchanging terse words before Ms Schroder kisses Mr Rossington goodbye and walks away.
The pair was also overheard arguing earlier that night, at dinner, with Mr Rossington accusing Ms Schroder of flirting. She replied: “You only see what you want to see” before storming off. The inquest also heard the couple’s relationship was volatile, but not violent.
