Cruise Guest Killed By Excursion Bus In Livorno, Husband Critical

Authorities in Livorno are investigating a fatal accident at the city’s port after a cruise tourist was killed and her husband badly hurt in a bus collision.

The American couple, aged 83 and 84, had just returned from a shore excursion and stepped off a shuttle bus when the tragedy occurred. A bus – unconfirmed whether it was the same one they had stepped off – hit them while manoeuvring in the terminal area.

The woman was taken to hospital but died soon after, while her husband suffered serious injuries and remains under emergency care.

One local media source has named them as Ellen Jan, who passed away, and Samuel Davis. These names are not confirmed.

According to early reports, the driver had moments before helped the woman down from the vehicle and handed her a walker. As he resumed his route, the couple were caught in the blind spot of the bus.

Victims Were Cunard Guests

An anonymous source onboard Cunard’s Queen Victoria has stated that the guests were sailing on that ship.

The source, a passenger sharing the cruise with the victims, said that the captain announced the sad news to everyone onboard in the time that followed the incident.

The port area was sealed off as police gathered evidence and questioned bystanders. Investigators have noted the driver is an experienced employee with many years of service, who told officers he only realised what had happened when he heard shouting and a noise at the rear of the vehicle.

The incident has caused shock among port staff and fellow travellers, highlighting safety risks in busy cruise terminals.

Past Bus Incidents Involving Cruise Passengers

Though extremely uncommon, bus accidents involving cruise guests have occurred in recent years.

On 26 June 2025, a school bus carrying 46 cruise tourists in Ketchikan, Alaska, was struck by an SUV, sending the bus into a ditch. Two passengers and the SUV driver required hospital treatment.

In September 2024, 24 passengers were injured near Skagway, Alaska, when a tour bus overturned after its driver experienced a medical emergency.

And in Barcelona, a sightseeing bus carrying cruise travellers was hit by a student coach in March 2025. That accident, near the Sagrada Familia, left 53 injured, including four in critical condition.

These incidents underline that while most transfers and shore excursions proceed without issue, rare accidents can and do occur.