A BALLINROBE man rescued from the cruise liner that crashed into rocks off Italy has spoken at his shock that people died in the disaster.
Rory Browne was on one of first wave of life boats that left the sinking ship moments after the collision. He says he did not think for one second that the ship would capsize.
Speaking to the Western People from his home in Dublin, Rory described the situation as "surreal".
"When I got on the lifeboat the situation didn't look to be too severe. I was shocked to hear that people died. This cannot be allowed to happen again," he said.
Mr Browne, who attended Cong National School and Ballinrobe Community School, joined the cruise in Rome on Friday, January 13, just hours before disaster struck at 9.45pm. Lights went out and the ship "jerked" but the passengers were told it was only an electric fault.
It was Rory’s first cruise and he didn't realise the dangers he faced. While some passengers were donning their lifejackets Rory remained relaxed and returned to his cabin. Only minutes later the seven whistles signalled an evacuation of the ship.
It was only when he was on the lifeboat being lowered down to sea that panic set in.
"People were erratic. They were pushing and shoving. The lifeboats didn't go down evenly but instead went to one side and a steel pole bashed the roof of our lifeboat in."
Mr Browne was safely on dry land within an hour-and-a-half of the sirens and rang home so his mother Bridget wouldn't worry.
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