Pennsylvania woman dies after being attacked by shark while snorkeling in Bahamas: police
NASSAU, Bahamas (CBS) -- A 57-year-old Pennsylvania woman has died after police say she was attacked by a bull shark while snorkeling in the Bahamas. Police identified the woman as Caroline DiPlacido, a Gannon University employee.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force says the incident happened around 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Police say the woman from Lake Erie, Pennsylvania, went snorkeling with her family of five at Green Cay when she was attacked by the shark.
The woman was on a cruise to the Bahamas with her family.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean Group said the woman and her family were guests on the Harmony of the Seas cruise. They said the woman died from her injuries after arriving at a local hospital.
"Royal Caribbean is providing support and assistance to the guest's loved ones during this difficult time," the company said in a statement.
The Harmony of the Seas cruise departed from Port Canaveral, Florida, on Sunday for a seven-day trip.
On Wednesday, DiPlacido's employer, Gannon University, released the following statement:
Yesterday, we learned the sad news of the sudden passing of Caroline DiPlacido, '86, project coordinator for the Office of Community and Government Relations, Erie Campus. She was vacationing with her family in the Bahamas.
Along with her efforts to further the mission of Erie-GAINS and Our West Bayfront, Caroline was a powerful presence of kindness and friendship to colleagues, students, and the wider community and cherished many family ties to Gannon. The news is devastating, and she will be missed.
We pray for Caroline as she crosses over to eternity. We pray for her husband, her children, her mother and her wider family.
Let us remember Caroline with affection and hope.
We will gather in her name today for a brief prayer service.
