Dad dies after horrifying cruise ship accident while celebrating his son’s wedding

A pastor from Elbow Lake, Minnesota, has died after suffering a severe spinal cord injury during a cruise in Italy while celebrating his son's wedding .

Steve Junker was aboard the Sun Princess on Aug.

16 when he fell and was later found face down and unresponsive in a pool, according to a GoFundMe page organized by his family.

Princess Cruises confirmed Junker's recent death in a statement to Fox News Digital.

2 AIRPORT WORKERS ARE DEAD AFTER MALARIA CASES SHOCK OFFICIALS AT MAJOR TRAVEL HUB "We are deeply saddened by the passing of our guest and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this extraordinarily difficult time," the cruise line said.

Princess Cruises said ship personnel were alerted on Aug.

16 that a passenger needed medical assistance.

"The guest was attended to by the ship's medical team and subsequently transferred ashore for further care," the cruise line said.

Junker's family said he suffered a spinal cord injury and nearly drowned during the accident.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER He was transported by an Italian Coast Guard boat to a hospital in Naples, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit, according to the fundraiser.

Junker underwent emergency spinal surgery the following day.

His family said the procedure was successful, though his spinal cord injury remained severe.

As Junker remained hospitalized, his family said they faced challenges navigating his medical care overseas and worked to arrange transportation to a hospital in the United States.

"We are working through the medical, logistical and financial challenges of arranging appropriate medical transport and getting him to a hospital in the United States," the family wrote before his death.