Carnival Ecstasy passengers on cruise from Jacksonville injured in Bahamas bus crash

Thirty-two people on a bus tour from the Jacksonville-based Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship were injured in a Monday crash in the Bahamas, four airlifted to hospitals, according to company officials.

Carnival Ecstasy is on a five-day Bahamas cruise that left Jacksonville on Saturday. The bus crash occurred near Rock Sound, Eleuthera, about 20 minutes north of Princess Cays, Carnival officials said.

The bus riders were initially treated at a local medical clinic, with 28 cleared to return to the ship. But four with injuries joined two family members to be flown for treatment.

“Three of the four patients sustained serious injuries ranging from fractures of the arms and legs to internal injuries and possible paralysis," Broward County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Michael Kane told The Miami Herald. "The fourth patient’s injuries were minor."

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but no other vehicles were involved, Carnival said. The cruise line did suspend all excursions by this tour operator.

The cruise ship left Princess Cays as planned Monday evening and will complete its trip as planned, Carnival said.