A tragic boating accident in Florida claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl, Brooke Mejeur, who was thrown overboard and hit by the boat’s propeller, according to local authorities. The incident occurred on Lake Osborne in Palm Beach County on a Saturday, where Brooke was on a 20-foot pontoon boat with two adults and two other children.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that the boat’s bow suddenly dropped, causing Brooke to be thrown into the water and struck by the propeller. The other passengers witnessed the horrifying incident. Despite being quickly pulled from the water and rushed to shore, Brooke succumbed to her injuries.
The FWC expressed their condolences to Brooke’s family and friends, stating that their thoughts were with them during this incredibly difficult time. The agency is currently investigating the incident to determine the exact cause and circumstances.
Lake Osborne is a well-known spot for recreational boating, fishing, and nature enthusiasts. Locals Luke Price and Russ Grunaald, who are frequent boaters on the lake, recalled seeing search crews scouring the lake on the day of the accident.
Price shared with WPTV that they have seen several boating accidents on the lake over the years, but none as heartbreaking as this one. He emphasized the importance of safety precautions while on the water, stating, “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.”