British cheerleader, 16, dies after tourist boat explodes off Dominican Republic

A “brave” 16-year-old British cheerleader has died after a horror boat accident while holidaying with her family.

Teen Abbie Lainton, from Swindon, died “in a terrible accident” off the coast of a Caribbean island that also left her two siblings injured.

Abbie died after she was badly burnt when a tourist boat carrying around 35 people suddenly ignited and blew up off the coast oftheDominican Republic.

She was rushed to intensive care but died three days later.

Her siblings remain in hospital.

Authorities said 24 people were injured with 11 taken to hospital for treatment for burns.

Gisell Segovia and her husband Navin Torres, 35, were on the boat when it blew up and saw Abbie badly injured after the explosion.

Navin told The Sun how he was with the Brit teen as she fought for her life, calling Abbie “a warrior” who “did not go out without a fight”.

He and his wife had come on holiday to celebrate Navin’s birthday, but ended up burnt and traumatised in the horror accident.

The boat was returning tourists from a trip to the popular Saona Island, a tropical idyll that forms part of the Cotubanamá National Park.

Gisell told The Sun that the boat “smelled like gasoline” and was “over-packed” from the start, but said the crew reassured her it was safe.

Navin revealed that passengers heard a terrifying “pop” after their vessel suddenly sped up to “keep up with the other boats”.

Then the boat suddenly blew up.

Navin said: “The front of the boat exploded. It took me a couple of seconds to analyse what was going on the fire started spreading towards me and my wife.”

He was terrified for his wife, saying: “I was very upset and I was scared for my wife because she can’t swim.”

Gisell said: “All I remember was like hearing a pop noise. And then the people sitting on the left side of the boat, they flew off their seats, including the benches that they were sitting on.

“Everything started flying and boat pieces that were on fire started flying everywhere. My husband, he got cut and burned on the side of his forehead with one of the pieces.”

She said everyone was crying and screaming as winds whipped up the fire.

Navin threw Gisell off the boat to save her from the flames and all passengers leapt into the ocean before being rescued by other boats.

The couple both had first degree burns in the accident and Navin needed stitches after a piece of debris hit him.

But others were much more seriously injured.

Gisell said: “The three Puerto Rican girls, one of them had a broken foot.

“There was these other two men from New York, one of them has spinal injuries and he doesn’t know if he’s paralyzed. His friend has a broken foot.”

Gisell said she remembered Abbie “because of her eyes”, adding that they were “beautiful”.

Gisell passed out in the water and her husband pulled her to safety.

An official in the Dominican Republic said: “It was an accident at sea and was very tragic.

“The young lady and her injured siblings were moved immediately to the hospital in the city of La Romana but sadly the she did not survive.

“Despite the best efforts of medical staff she did not make it. Her injured siblings are continuing to be looked after in the hospital.”

“People are rallying around to help in any way they can. A tragedy like this touches everyone on our island.”

They added: “We will offer every assistance that we can during this sorrowful time. Our prayers are with the family.”

The horror accident took place on July 27.

Abbie died three days later in hospital.

More than 30 people were on board at the time, including the captain, a tour guide and a sailor.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and rushed 16 people to hospital for treatment of burns.

Authorities have not yet revealed the cause of the fire but have launched an investigation.

Tributes poured in for Brit teen Abbie, a “much-loved” cheerleader and coach for Swindon LightningCheer.

Her team wrote an emotional post saying that Abbie’s “kindness, infectious smile, unwavering encouragement and love for cheerleading touched the lives of so many athletes, coaches and families over the years”.

They wrote: “She brought so much light to our gym, and her loss has left us all heartbroken.”

Family friend Becky Jamieson described Abbie as a “beautiful” young girl who was loved by everyone who knew her.

She said in an emotional statement that the teen lost her life on July 30, with her sister Carley and brother Bradley also being left badly injured.

Becky continued: “Abbie had her whole life ahead of her. She should have been enjoying the summer with her friends and looking forward to receiving her GCSE results.

“She was so loved by her family, friends and everyone who knew her.

“For Abbie, forever 16, forever loved and never forgotten.”

A GoFundMe page, which was set up to help Abbie’s family, has already received more than £16,000 in donations.

Abbie’s former school Tanwood School for Performing Arts, also honoured her in a statement.

A spokesperson said: “Abbie joined Tanwood as a dinky dot and was part of an exceptional group of dancers who formed strong friendships which spilled over to the audience when they performed together.

“She always performed with a huge smile, and those beautiful feet.

“We are all in complete shock at this heartbreaking news and send so much love and support to her family and friends at this unimaginable time.

“You will always be in our hearts.”

An FCDO spokesperson told The Sun: “Our thoughts are with the Lainton family during this difficult time.

“We are providing consular support to the family and assisting other British nationals and their families affected by the incident.

“We are in contact with the local authorities.”

The Sun contacted Booking.com and Go Paradise DR for comment.