Wichita, KS – Last summer, a 16-year-old girl was riding on the back of a boat in North Carolina as it was moving at a slow speed. She fell into the water and was found dead hours later.
It was assumed she drowned, but a toxicology report showed she actually died of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The accident has boating instructors in North Carolina now teaching people how to avoid the very rear area of a boat when it’s in operation for reasons other than the propeller.
“It surprised me that that would occur. I think it would be a particular situation, maybe a backdraft that they incurred,” says Tracey Carrell.
She owns Wichita Marine and says the incident must have been a very unfortunate combination of circumstances.
“We do want to keep our eyes open and be aware of some of the exposures that we have. Even though we just assume with this wind that it might not be there. There are some situations like that one that could be just the right condition,” she says.
Carrell says a story like this serves as a reminder to take the carbon monoxide dangers of boating seriously.