11-year-old Bristol County girl killed by propeller in boating accident

An 11-year-old girl from Bristol County has been killed in a boating accident.

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, initial information indicates that a 23-foot boat carrying 12 people was traveling on the Intracoastal Waterway in Little River in Horry County. The boat was rocked by a large wake caused by another boat, resulting in nine of the 12 occupants going overboard.

Olivia Knighton of Attleboro was struck by a propeller and later died of her injuries. Nobody else was injured in the incident.

Knighton is the daughter of former New England Revolution player Brad Knighton. He took to social media to share the news.

“There are no words to express the depth of our profound grief and sorrow in this moment. Our family is still in shock at the sudden and tragic loss of our brilliant and beautiful daughter, Olivia, to an unfortunate boating accident yesterday. We are still in disbelief that her bright and pure light was taken away from us so suddenly.”

Knighton attended Coelho Middle School and loved soccer and the New England Revolution.

Officials are in the process of a detailed inquiry that includes collecting witness statements, examining the boat and working to develop a complete picture of what happened.