An 11-year-old girl has been killed after being thrown from a boat and struck by its propeller on Lake Osborne in Palm Beach County, Florida.

The tragic incident took place on Saturday 2 November when the bow of the 20-foot pontoon boat, which was carrying two adults and three children, suddenly dropped, causing 11-year-old Brooke Mejeur to fall overboard. She was then struck by the boat’s propeller in front of the other passengers, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Authorities confirmed that Mejeur was retrieved from the water and transported to shore, but she later died from her injuries. The FWC issued a statement expressing sympathy, saying: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Brooke Mejeur during this incredibly difficult time.” The FWC says it is investigating the incident.

Witnesses on the lake reported seeing patrol boats searching the water following the incident. Luke Price, a local boater who was on Lake Osborne that day, told WPTV: “We’ve been out in the water since we were born, so obviously, we can get to the point where we’re too comfortable, and that’s not what you want out here. Anything can happen, always take precautions.”

Lake Osborne, a popular site for boating, fishing, and water sports, spans 356 acres and is part of John Prince Park, which includes a boat ramp and fishing dock.

The FWC noted that in 2023 alone, 59 people died in boating-related incidents in Florida. The agency advises boaters to wear life jackets, designate a sober driver, and avoid riding on the bow, gunwales or swim platform.

They also recommend having a plan in place in case someone goes overboard, including slowing down, throwing a flotation device, and ensuring the motor is off before attempting a rescue.

Accidents involving boat propellers, while not extremely common, do occur and can be very serious when they happen. In New Jersey in August, an 18-year-old was fatally injured by a boat propeller while trying to board a vessel from a raft.

In January 2023, a British woman suffered horrific injuries after being sliced by the propeller of a dive boat while snorkelling in Mexico on holiday with her husband. Amor Armitage, who was 37 at the time of the incident, shared details of her accident online in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers of boat propellers.

In 2022, a young Colombian woman was fatally struck by a boat propeller after jumping behind a boat to retrieve her flip-flops.

In the United States, propeller accidents account for a small but notable percentage of boating incidents reported each year. The U.S. Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Statistics report typically records several hundred propeller-related injuries annually, with some cases leading to fatalities.

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