1 Teen Girl Killed, 1 Injured After Being Accidentally Run Over By Boat In Greenwich

GREENWICH, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- One 16-year-old girl was killed and another was injured Wednesday afternoon in a boating accident near the Old Greenwich Yacht Club in Connecticut.

As CBS 2's Tracee Carrasco reported, it was supposed to be a pleasurable summer afternoon of boating out on the water for the four girls. But it ended suddenly and horrifically.

As Joe Biermann reported from Chopper 2, around 2 p.m., the two girls were tubing -- riding in a tube tethered to the back the back of a small speedboat -- on Long Island Sound, about half a mile offshore from the yacht club. Two other 16-year-old girls were in the boat, Greenwich police said.

Both fell off, and two other girls onboard steered to pick them up, officials said. But they accidentally ran over the girls who fell overboard, officials said.

Police in a news release only said the two girls who had been tubing came into contact with the outboard engine propeller on the boat.

One of the girls was killed in the accident. The other suffered a soft tissue injury and was taken to Stamford Hospital in Stamford, police said. The injury required extensive stitching.

"I don't think there is any greater tragedy for a family than to lose a child at 16 years old in a simple boating accident, on a day in which it's a beautiful day where they are looking to have a little fun," said Greenwich police Lt. Kraig Gray.

WCBS 880's Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported the two girls on the boat were not injured, but were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

The families of those involved have been notified, but police said the name of the girl who was killed will not be released until Thursday.

All four girls involved in the accident were students at Greenwich High School. Schools Supt. William S. McKersie released a statement.

"This evening, we are mourning the devastating loss of one of our Greenwich High School students, a rising junior, who was involved in a boating accident today on the Long Island Sound. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time of tragedy," the statement said. "There are few words that can express the deep compassion we feel for the family of the young girl that has died and for the three other girls involved in the accident. The Greenwich Public School community is ready to support the girls involved and their families in every way possible.

Police said the father of one of the teens was the owner of the boat.

Investigators characterized the incident as a "tragic accident." Alcohol was not believe to have played a role.

The investigation continued late Wednesday.

You may also be interested in these stories: