A British schoolgirl who died in a boat explosion during a family holiday in the Caribbean suffered burns to 60 percent of her body, an inquest heard.
Abigail Lainton, from Swindon, died on July 30 – three days after the fatal boat trip off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
The ‘much loved’ cheerleading coach was returning from a catamaran trip to the popular Saona Island when the 35-strong vessel was engulfed in flames and black smoke.
Part of the boat’s deck broke apart in the explosion and Abigail was rushed to hospital after suffering burns to 60 percent of her body.
Sadly, she died three days later after her condition worsened.
An inquest in Salisbury this week found that Abigail died of septic shock caused by blood poisoning, due to pulmonary edema resulting from first and second degree burns.
Her body has since been repatriated to Wiltshire.
Following the schoolgirl’s death, Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club – where Abigail was a coach – took to Facebook to pay tribute.
Abigail Lainton died last month at the age of 16 after a fatal boat explosion off the coast of the Dominican Republic
The teenager (pictured far right) died of septic shock caused by blood poisoning, due to pulmonary edema resulting from first and second degree burns, an inquest in Salisbury heard this week.
The tourist boat was returning from Saona Island when a ‘bang’ was heard before it accelerated and then burst into flames
One post read: ‘There are simply no words that feel enough. Abbie was a much loved member of our Swindon Lightning family.
“Her kindness, infectious smile, relentless encouragement and love of cheerleading have touched the lives of so many athletes, coaches and families over the years. She brought so much light to our gym and her loss has left us all heartbroken.”
Two of Abigail’s siblings, Carley and Bradley, were among more than 20 tourists who were “severely injured” in the explosion.
Witnesses said in July that the boat “didn’t feel safe,” “smelled like gasoline” and was “overcrowded” from the moment it left.
Passengers reportedly raised concerns with staff but were assured it was safe.
Gisell Segovia, 22, and her husband Navin Torres, 35, had been on holiday to celebrate Mr Torres’ birthday when they boarded the boat.
Mrs. Segovia told it The sun: ‘We told the captain it smelled like gasoline and he said, “Oh, no, no, it’s fine.”
“And there were a lot of people. I feel like they overpacked us.”
She said it “didn’t feel safe” to have so many tourists on such a small ship, adding: “It might have been a five-minute ride, but I think it was about 30 minutes.”
“Many people had not fastened their life jackets properly.”
Mr Torres described how the passengers heard a terrifying ‘bang’ after the boat suddenly accelerated to ‘keep up with the other boats’ before the ship suddenly exploded.
He said: ‘The front of the boat exploded. It took me a few seconds to analyze what was going on [when] the fire spread to me and my wife.”
Ms Segovia described people being thrown from their seats as broken pieces of the boat “flew everywhere”.
Abigail, from Swindon, was described as a much-loved member of her community and an ‘exceptional dancer’
She said she remembered Abbie for her “beautiful eyes.”
The teenager was a former student of the Tanwood School for Performing Arts, a musical theater group, and had been enjoying the summer with friends after graduating from high school.
The school said: “Abbie joined Tanwood as a little speck and was part of an exceptional group of dancers who formed strong friendships that transferred to the audience when they performed together.
‘She always performed with a big smile, and those beautiful feet! Abbie trained as a dancer and joined the Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club, where she once again excelled and competed all over the world.
“Abbie’s family have been part of the Tanwood family for many years and have always provided unwavering support.
‘We are all in shock at this heartbreaking news and are sending so much love and support to her family and friends at this unimaginable time. You will always be in our hearts.’
Neighbors of Abbie’s family in Swindon said they had lived there for ‘quite some time’ and said they were shocked by the news.
One of them told the Daily Mail: ‘I heard that the two girls and the boy were on the boat and that they must have been near the explosion.
‘It’s terrible. The young girl is still doing well, she has a broken leg and her brother has some burns, but now it is not too bad. They are all now back in Britain. I’ve known them for a long time. It’s heartbreaking.’
Another neighbor said: ‘It’s unbelievable. We heard about it from a friend of a friend. It’s extremely, extremely disturbing. They haven’t been out of the house much.
‘We were just aware that something was wrong. It’s a nice family, a very nice family.’
