Natasha Schofield, 47, plunged about 40m from an upper deck of the Pacific Dawn. Photo / via Facebook
Natasha Schofield, 47, plunged about 40m from an upper deck of the Pacific Dawn. Photo / via Facebook
The Queensland mother who went overboard on a cruise ship must have been in a "dark and desperate" place to cause her family such pain, a devastated friend says.
Natasha Schofield, 47, plunged about 40m from an upper deck of the Pacific Dawn last Thursday after she had been standing on the deck with her husband. Their three children, aged 12-16, were also on board the cruise ship for what had been described as a holiday of a lifetime.
Police say security cameras recorded the final few minutes of Mrs Schofield's life as she stood with her husband — and it appeared to depict a loving, happy couple.
Crew react after Natasha Schofield jumped from the upper deck. Photo / Supplied
But just after 4pm last Thursday Mrs Schofield took a step back as her husband tried desperately to grab her by the legs.
A close friend, Damon Smith, posted a tribute to Facebook where he insisted "Tash" would never have wanted to hurt her family.
"Tash would never intentionally hurt her husband or children, her family or friends — everything that has happened on that boat is the complete opposite to what she would ever want — so I say she must have arrived in a very dark and desperate place in her mind very very quickly."
"It has also been revealed Mrs Schofield's behaviour only began to change in the last 24 hours of her life.
"[Her husband] said she didn't seem herself for just over a day but she assured him she was fine — RU OK? what if some one says they are OK but they're not — how can we change that part?"
In the emotional post Smith said he "can't do without" his friend of 20 years.
"She has been there for me in various ways starting from crashing my wedding party to caring for my children a thousand times. I trust her with my life. That generous girl I know only strives to help others and make life happier — she has made me a better person absolutely."
The mother-of-three's body was lost at sea after she jumped from an upper deck level of the P&O owned Pacific Dawn as it was about 300km off New Caledonia last Thursday afternoon.
Rumours swirled on the ship as to who the woman was and passengers came forward to say they had seen a woman vomiting and leaning over the deck railing — but police confirmed at the weekend Mrs Schofield took her own life.
Natasha Schofield has been remembered as a "generous girl" who always wanted to help others. Photo / via Facebook
The tragedy has reignited online debate about just how safe cruise ships are — and what, if anything, could be done to stop a similar death at sea.
Several people posted comments at the weekend about the need for higher railings, so someone wasn't able to "propel" themselves over, as police chillingly described Mrs Schofield's final moments.
Others though pointed out it was near impossible to stop someone doing a similar thing, and questioned what sort of view people would have with higher railings.
A life ring was thrown into the water. Photo / via Twitter, Jonathan Trevithick
P&O declined to comment while the coronial investigation was ongoing, other than to point to Queensland Police Inspector Rob Graham's comments about international maritime standards for ship design when he spoke to media yesterday.
"I know there has been some speculation that the railings are too low. Any death, any preventable death is one too many ... But millions of people around the world undertake cruises, right around the world, on various cruise liners."
He said the number of people who intentionally jumped overboard was "minuscule".
Natasha Schofield has been remembered as a "generous girl" who always wanted to help others. Photo / via Facebook
"So do we go and change and put additional safety equipment on those ships? It's not my position to say, but bare in mind all the millions of people who do go on these cruises and don't do that."
The Pacific Dawn would be assessed for its compliance, but he expected it would fully adhere to international safety regulations that included its railing height and other safety equipment.
He praised P&O for its "world-class" professionalism dealing with the tragedy.
Mrs Schofield was travelling with her husband and three children — aged from 12 to 16.
Australia's Pacific Dawn in open waters off Sydney in 2014. Photo / Getty Images
Inspector Rob Graham said the death "wasn't an accident".
"Let's be open and honest about mental health. It's a tragic end to what should've been a lifetime holiday experience for a loving family."
"You've got three kids who are never going to see their mum again."
Pacific Dawn docked in Brisbane yesterday morning.
The cruise operator, Carnival Australia, said it was co-operating fully with the police investigation.
"We will be able to give police CCTV footage providing an unobstructed view of what happened and portraying an obviously devoted and loving couple," Carnival said in a statement.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and hope that they will find comfort in their grief."
One traveller said passengers had been updated with developments from the outset.
"The captain and crew have been put in an unimaginable position, yet have handled themselves professionally and with the respect to the victim and her family," Teg An told AAP last Friday as the search was abandoned.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
