6-year-old girl struck, killed by boat propeller at Lake Pleasant

Kye Graves, Arizona Republic
Updated ·2 min read
Kayakers head for open water on Lake Pleasant.
Kayakers head for open water on Lake Pleasant.

A 6-year-old girl was fatally struck by a boat at Lake Pleasant on Friday morning, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

At 11 a.m., police received a call from a family that their 6-year-old daughter was struck by their boat's propeller. Witnesses at the area of the collision confirmed that the child's mother was operating the boat when she began to drive with the child entering the water — without the family knowing. The child's father was in the water holding onto a wakeboard when he saw an unidentified person in the water. Shortly after, the girl's parents realized it was their daughter in the water and that she suffered a leg amputation from the boat's propeller, according to a news release.

The girl was later taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. There were 12 people on the boat and wearing life vests at the time of the incident, according to a news release.

Impairment does not appear to be a factor of the incident, police said.

The incident is under investigation, according to the MCSO.

How to stay safe at Arizona lakes

For swimmers, Maricopa County Parks and Recreations advise these safety tips:

  • Always swim with a partner. Swimming alone can be unsafe.

  • Never leave young children unattended near water, and do not ask another child to supervise your children near water.

  • Avoid distractions when supervising children near water.

  • If a child goes missing, always check the water first.

  • Non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device.

  • Protect your skin. While you're busy cooling off and having fun in the water, your skin is also soaking in the sun. Apply and reapply sunscreen frequently.

  • Wear a hat and sunglasses to keep the sun off of your face and out of your eyes.

  • Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you're not thirsty, to avoid dehydration. Just because you're floating in a cove of water does not mean your skin is absorbing enough to maintain your bodies water levels. Avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol in them.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 6-year-old girl struck, killed by boat propeller at Lake Pleasant