Norway

Retired Chicago Cop Recalls Fearing For Her Life Aboard Viking Cruise Caught in Rough Waters

Viking Ocean Cruises, the company that owns and operates the ship, said 20 people were injured "as a result of this incident"

Virginia Drozd planned on enjoying a relaxing vacation at sea but instead found herself fearing for her life.

The cruise, exploring the coast of Norway, turned into a nightmare when the ship hit rough waters on Saturday causing it to lose power and its engines.

"I was laying in my bed," Drozd, who is from Chicago, told NBC 5. "And my bed just flipped with me in it."

She and her cousin made their way to a lounge where the situation went from bad to worse.

"All of a sudden there was a loud crash and a wave came into the room we were in and it was completely flooded," she said. "I was drenched up to my waste and even got a mouth full of salt water."

It was just moments later that the mayday call went out.

Drozd and other passengers put on life jackets and prepared to evacuate.

"I had a moment there where I said I don’t know if i’m going to survive this, this might not be survivable," she said.

Dramatic video shows the rescue: passengers evacuated two at a time into a helicopter hovering above.

"I kept thinking I was going to hit the helicopter when I get there," Drozd said.

Drozd says the passengers were then taken to a shelter where Red Cross workers provided food and dry clothing.

A new experience for the retired Chicago police captain—who is used to giving aide, not receiving it.

"It makes you feel really humble to be the recipient of all that kind of care," Drozd said.

Drozd suffered some cuts and bruises. Her cousin thinks she broke her rib.

Drozd says she is just happy to be alive.

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