The mother of the teenager who tragically lost his life in the Titan submarine disaster, alongside his wealthy father, has shared the heartbreaking story of how she had initially planned to go on the ill-fated voyage herself but gave up her spot to her son because he had a strong desire to go. Christine Dawood and her husband Shahzada Dawood had originally booked a trip to visit the Titanic wreckage but had to cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When their family secured spots on this year’s OceanGate Expeditions mission, Christine decided to step back and let her son Suleman, aged 19, fulfill his dream. On Father’s Day, the family boarded the Polar Prince, the support vessel for the sub, in anticipation of a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Christine and her daughter Alina, aged 17, remained on board when news arrived on June 18th that communication with the Titan sub had been lost. At first, they still held out hope when there was no immediate return, but that hope dwindled after 96 hours had passed, indicating that the sub had likely run out of oxygen. The turning point came when they received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard, informing them that debris had been discovered, revealing that an implosion had occurred. The U.S. Navy had detected sounds consistent with an implosion shortly after the sub lost contact, but the information was not initially publicized. The rescue efforts continued until the debris was found. Speaking about their initial hope, Christine explained that they had believed they would surface eventually, but as time passed and they failed to reemerge, worry set in. Despite clinging onto hope initially, Christine eventually sent a message to her family, preparing them for the worst. However, her daughter remained hopeful until they received the news of the discovered debris from the U.S. Coast Guard. The mother revealed that her original plan had been to join her husband in exploring the Titanic wreckage aboard the OceanGate sub, but the trip was canceled due to the pandemic. She chose to step aside and give her son the opportunity to go since he had expressed a strong desire to experience it. Christine expressed her happiness for both Shahzada and Suleman, noting that they had wanted to embark on this journey for a long time. She shared the story of how she and her daughter had hugged and joked with Shahzada and Suleman before they entered the submersible. Suleman, a student at Strathclyde University, had brought along his Rubik’s Cube on the trip as he aimed to break the world record for solving the puzzle at the greatest depth. He had planned to solve it 3,700 meters below sea level at the Titanic wreckage. Although his application for a world record was rejected, they still intended to film the attempt. Christine mentioned that she and her daughter have decided to learn how to solve the Rubik’s Cube in Suleman’s memory, and she is determined to carry on her husband’s work. Despite the immense grief and loss, Christine expressed her desire to continue the legacy of her husband’s philanthropic efforts and support his projects. She also mentioned how much she misses her husband and son. Along with Shahzada and Suleman, three others lost their lives in the Titan sub: OceanGate’s CEO Stockton Rush, British businessman Hamish Harding, and former French navy diver Paul-Henry Nargeolet. Christine acknowledged that during the search, those above the water attempted to remain hopeful, believing that the crew inside the sub had options for resurfacing. They clung to the hope that actions such as dropping weights and slowing the ascent could be implemented. Christine and her daughter initially remained optimistic when the sub didn’t immediately return. However, as time passed, their worry and unease grew. Despite the prolonged search and the increasingly grim outlook, Christine praised her daughter’s unwavering belief in science and the mechanics of the submersible. Alina strongly believed that the technology would work, comparable to boarding a plane with confidence in its functioning. Christine tried her best not to show her daughter that she had lost hope after 96 hours. Upon learning of the discovered debris, the family returned to St. John’s in Newfoundland, Canada, and held a funeral prayer for Shahzada and Suleman. Christine revealed that the prayer service provided some solace. Remembering her son, she acknowledged that he had been a mama’s boy but also deeply cherished his father. She recounted their final moments together, sharing that they had hugged and joked because Shahzada was overflowing with excitement about the upcoming dive. She described her husband as someone who had a childlike enthusiasm and a deep passion for history, often gathering the family to watch David Attenborough documentaries. His knowledge and enthusiasm inspired and motivated others. The story of the Titanic submersible disaster is truly tragic, and Christine Dawood’s words reflect the immense loss and grief she and her daughter are experiencing. Despite the pain, they are determined to honor the memory of their loved ones and continue their legacy.
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