Carnival Ecstasy: Cruise ship couple describe the moment they saw blood pouring out of elevator doors

A passenger said: ‘It was a real life scene of ‘The Shining’’

Passengers on board the Carnival Ecstasy witnessed a horror scene (Getty)

A couple has described the moment they discovered the body of a dead crew member on board a Caribbean cruise ship in the US.

Jose Sandoval Opazo, 66, was an electrician on board Carnival Ecstasy when he was killed while working on an elevator. The cruise was on its final leg of a three-day journey out of Miami.

Matt Davis, who was on his way to dinner with his wife, told CCN affiliate WFTX he saw the elevator “with blood coming down like a sheet, and not stopping”.

In a video captured by the couple, a man can be heard shouting, “No, that can’t be right! No, that’s not possible!”, and a crew member tries to usher them into the restaurant.

Mr Davis described how another passenger was inside the elevator when the incident happened and compared the experience to a scene out of 1980s horror movie 'The Shining'.

Carnival Corporation, which owns the cruise line, confirmed a crew member had died while working on an elevator.

The company has had a number of high-profile disasters with their ships in the past few years, including the capsizing of the Costa Concordia in 2012, and an on-board fire that knocked power out in the Carnival Triumph for four days.

Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen told CNN the authorities were aware of the incident and a full investigation is underway.

“The company extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of our team member,” he said.