Teenager dies in tragic boating accident in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey
Authorities in New Jersey are investigating a “tragic boating accident” in which a teenager died.
Zeina Mahafzah, an 18-year-old from Wayne, New Jersey, attempted to board a raft towed by a boat around 4:30 p.m. on Sunday in the waters off Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars, about an hour from Atlantic City, when she was struck by the boat’s propeller and fatally injured, New Jersey State Police said Monday.
Police said the incident was still under investigation and no further information was available at this time.
While authorities did not release further details, NBC10 Philadelphia reported that the boat was being piloted by her father and that several other people were traumatized in the accident and were later examined by emergency medical services.
Thoughts and prayers for the family
The Harvey Cedars Police Department said in a post Sunday evening that the department, along with the New Jersey State Police, is investigating a “tragic boating accident off Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island” on the New Jersey coast.
“As the investigation is still in its early stages, we ask that you keep the family and community in your thoughts and prayers,” the department said in a post.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
