Australian man showed 'supreme courage' in attempt to save girlfriend, inquest hears

Kristen Schroder and her boyfriend Paul Rossington. Photo / ABC

A 30-year-old Australian man who leapt from a cruise liner shortly after his girlfriend fell was trying to save her and committed an "act of supreme courage", police have said.

Paul Rossington, a paramedic, acted on instinct and immediately jumped about 20 metres into the water from the balcony of the cabin he shared with Kristen Schroder aboard the Carnival Spirit during a South Pacific cruise in 2013, police told an inquest into the two deaths. The bodies were never recovered.

Ms Schroder, 26, climbed over the balcony shortly before 9pm and lost her footing on a rail, clinging on with her hands about four seconds before plunging to her death, the inquest heard.

Video footage showed that Mr Rossington immediately jumped in after her.

"He must have known that jumping out would most likely end with him losing his life," detective sergeant Michael O'Keefe told the inquest.

"When [Paul] has seen her slip, he's jumped out of bed and when she's fallen, he's gone straight over after her. That act of conspicuous courage should not go unnoticed."

The inquest heard the couple had a "turbulent relationship" and had been arguing at a casino and at dinner shortly before Ms Schroder's death. They regarded the 11-day cruise as a "make or break" trip, the inquest was told.

The disappearance of the couple was not discovered until the ship arrived in Sydney the following morning and the couple failed to disembark.

Erika Mulligan, an advocate assisting the coroner, said the deaths of the couple appeared to be a "tragic accident".

"He has not thought about his safety at all - that is certainly an act of bravery," she said.

Police said Mr Rossington should receive the country's highest bravery award.