BRITISH TEEN, 16, DIES AFTER HORROR HOLIDAY BOAT EXPLOSION — WITNESSES RECALL TERRIFYING FINAL MOMENTS

A British teenager has died after a tourist boat erupted into flames during a family holiday in the Dominican Republic, leaving more than 20 people injured and raising fresh questions about what happened aboard the vessel.

Abigail “Abbie” Lainton, 16, from Swindon, Wiltshire, was travelling with her family when the boat exploded on July 27 while returning from the popular Saona Island.

The teenager suffered severe burns and was taken to hospital, but her condition deteriorated. She died three days later.

A subsequent inquest heard that the cause of death was septic shock associated with septicaemia and pulmonary edema. The full inquest has been adjourned to a later date.

A SUDDEN “POP” BEFORE THE BOAT ERUPTED

The vessel was carrying around 35 passengers and crew members when witnesses say something suddenly went terribly wrong.

Passengers reportedly heard a loud “pop” shortly after the boat accelerated.

Within moments, flames spread across the vessel.

Survivors described debris flying through the air as passengers desperately tried to escape the burning boat.

Many eventually jumped into the sea before other vessels arrived to help.

WITNESSES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BOAT

Passengers who survived the incident told The Sun that the vessel appeared overcrowded and that there was a strong smell of gasoline before departure.

Gisell Segovia, who was travelling with her husband Navin Torres, said passengers had raised concerns about the smell but were reassured by the crew that everything was safe.

The couple were among those injured.

Navin later recalled seeing Abbie after the incident and described her as a fighter who continued struggling to survive despite her devastating injuries.

The accounts have added to questions surrounding the condition of the vessel and the circumstances immediately before the fire.

However, authorities have not publicly established that overcrowding or the reported fuel smell caused the incident.

ABBIE’S TWO SIBLINGS WERE ALSO INJURED

Abbie was not travelling alone.

Her siblings, Carley and Bradley, were also injured in the incident and required medical treatment.

In total, authorities said 24 people were injured, with 11 requiring hospitalization.

The incident affected tourists from several countries, turning what had begun as a family holiday into a devastating emergency at sea.

“SHE HAD HER WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF HER”

Tributes have since poured in for Abbie, who was remembered as a talented cheerleader and a much-loved member of her community.

Friends described her as kind, energetic and deeply passionate about cheerleading.

A family friend said Abbie should have been spending the summer with her friends and preparing to receive her GCSE results.

Instead, her family is now preparing to say goodbye to a teenager they described as having so much more life ahead of her.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The cause of the incident remains under investigation.

The excursion company, Go Paradise DR, said the authorities had classified the incident as an accident caused by mechanical failure and said the excursion had been removed from booking platforms.

British authorities have also provided consular assistance to Abbie’s family and other British nationals affected by the incident.

For those who survived, the memories of those final moments remain vivid.

For Abbie’s family, however, the investigation can never change the heartbreaking outcome.

A family holiday that was supposed to create happy memories instead became a tragedy — and a 16-year-old girl who had her whole future ahead of her is now being remembered by everyone who loved her.