An Australian mother and her teenage daughter were left injured and traumatised after they were allegedly attacked by an armed man during a cruise holiday.
Leeson Hansen’s family travelled to the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea onboard P&O Pacific Encounter last month.
But the Brisbane family’s dream holiday escalated into chaos on October 21 when their ship arrived in Rabaul – a small town in Papua New Guinea’s north known for its volcanoes and scuba diving sites.
Mr Hansen’s wife Elizabeth and the couple’s two teenage children joined several other tourists who disembarked to explore the nearby Rabaul Page Park Market.
‘An armed man jumped out of the side of the market and cut my 16-year-old daughter’s backpack off with a large knife, he then took a swipe at her with the knife which narrowly missed her chest due to her jumping back,’ Mr Hansen told the Courier Mail.
‘My wife turned to see what was going on and he then sliced her hand open.
‘The locals were yelling … but the guy sprinted off and my family were helped into a little van which drove them back to the ship.’
Leeson Hansen says his wife Elizabeth (pictured) and teenage daughter were attacked with a knife during a day trip to Rabaul
Elizabeth needed stitches following the terrifying ordeal during a voyage stopover
Mr Hansen insisted his family did everything they could to try and stay safe by sticking to main roads and walked with other tourists.
Staff on the Pacific Encounter treated and stitched Ms Hansen onboard and have offered the teens counselling following the distressing encounter.
The family arrived home five days later and Ms Hansen’s stitches were removed last Tuesday.
Mr Hansen has spoke out about the terrifying ordeal to warn other holidaymakers that ‘these ports are not safe as we have been led to believe’.
‘[P&O] have worked hard to follow up with trauma counselling for the kids but it really dampened a costly holiday,’ he said.
The Brisbane family were holidaying onboard P&O’s Pacific Encounter at the time
A P&O Cruises Australia spokesman confirmed the cruiseliner had helped three passengers following an incident in Papua New Guinea.
He described the attack as an ‘isolated incident’ and said the company has been ‘in regular contact with the family’.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary are investigating the alleged attack with local police.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted P&O for further comment.
