Aussie family recall terrifying ordeal during P&O cruise ship holiday to South Pacific
An Australian mother and her teenage daughter were left injured and traumatized after they were allegedly attacked by an armed man during a cruise holiday.
Leeson Hansen’s family traveled to the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea with the P&O Pacific Encounter last month.
But the Brisbane family’s dream vacation escalated into chaos on October 21 when their ship arrived in Rabaul – a small town in northern Papua New Guinea known for its volcanoes and diving sites.
Mr. Hansen’s wife, Elizabeth, and the couple’s two teenage children joined several other tourists who disembarked to explore the nearby Rabaul Page Park Market.
‘An armed man jumped from the side of the market and cut off my 16-year-old daughter’s backpack with a large knife. He then slashed at her with the knife, which narrowly missed her chest as she jumped back’ Mr Hansen told the Courier mail.
‘My wife turned around to see what was happening and he cut her hand open.
‘Locals shouted… but the man sprinted away and my family was helped into a van, which drove them back to the ship.’
Leeson Hansen says his wife Elizabeth (pictured) and teenage daughter were attacked with a knife during a day trip to Rabaul
Elizabeth needed stitches after the terrifying ordeal during a travel stopover
Mr Hansen insisted his family was doing everything they could to try to stay safe by sticking to main roads and walking with other tourists.
Pacific Encounter staff treated and stitched up Ms. Hansen on board and offered counseling to the teens following the painful encounter.
The family returned home five days later and Mrs Hansen had her stitches removed last Tuesday.
Mr Hansen has spoken out about the terrifying ordeal to warn other holidaymakers that ‘these ports are not safe as we have been led to believe’.
‘[P&O] “I worked hard to follow up on trauma therapy for the children, but it really ruined an expensive holiday,” he said.
The Brisbane family were on holiday aboard P&O’s Pacific Encounter at the time
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises Australia confirmed the cruise ship had assisted three passengers following an incident in Papua New Guinea.
He described the attack as an “isolated incident” and said the company has been in “regular contact with the family.”
The Royal Military Police of Papua New Guinea are investigating the alleged attack together with local police.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted P&O for further comment.