Minnesota Pastor Dies After Spinal Injury Aboard Italian Cruise During Son’s Wedding Celebration

A Minnesota pastor, Steve Junker, died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury in a pool accident aboard the Sun Princess cruise to Italy, where he was celebrating his son's wedding. He was airlifted to Naples for medical care, underwent emergency spinal surgery, and was later treated at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, before passing away on Sept. 4. Princess Cruises said crew attended to him and he was transferred ashore for care; his family faced medical and logistical challenges arranging transport home as they mourned his loss.