BRITISH TEEN, 16, DIES AFTER CARIBBEAN BOAT EXPLOSION AS SURVIVORS RECALL TERRIFYING FINAL MOMENTS

A British teenager has died after a tourist boat exploded during a family holiday in the Dominican Republic, leaving dozens injured and survivors describing a terrifying sequence of events at sea.

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

The teenager suffered severe burns covering around 60% of her body and was taken to hospital. She died three days later.

An inquest in Salisbury heard that Abbie’s cause of death was septic shock associated with septicaemia as a result of pulmonary edema. The full inquest has since been adjourned to a later date.

A SUDDEN POP — THEN CHAOS

The boat was carrying around 35 people, including passengers and crew members, when witnesses say they heard a sudden “pop”.

According to survivors, the vessel had accelerated shortly beforehand, apparently to keep up with other boats.

Moments later, the front section reportedly exploded and flames began spreading across the boat.

Passengers were thrown from their seats as debris flew through the air.

With the fire rapidly spreading, people began jumping into the sea before nearby boats arrived to help.

One survivor, Navin Torres, said he was terrified for his wife, Gisell, who could not swim.

He eventually pushed her into the water to get her away from the flames.

Both survived with injuries, but other passengers suffered more serious trauma.

PASSENGERS HAD REPORTEDLY NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL

The tragedy has also raised questions about the condition of the vessel before it departed.

Survivors told The Sun that the boat appeared overcrowded and that there was a strong gasoline smell.

Gisell said passengers had raised concerns about the smell but were reassured by the crew.

She also claimed that some passengers did not have their life jackets properly secured.

These accounts remain witness recollections, and authorities have not publicly established that the reported fuel smell or overcrowding caused the incident.

24 PEOPLE WERE INJURED

Authorities said 24 people were injured in the incident, with 11 requiring hospitalization.

Abbie’s siblings, Carley and Bradley, were also injured.

Their conditions have not been fully disclosed publicly, but Dominican authorities said they continued receiving medical care following the incident.

The accident involved tourists from several countries and prompted a major emergency response.

For survivors, the memories of the fire, smoke and desperate escape remain difficult to forget.

“SHE HAD HER WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF HER”

Abbie has been remembered by friends, family and the cheerleading community as a talented and much-loved teenager.

Family friend Becky Jamieson described her as a beautiful young girl who had her whole future ahead of her.

Abbie had been looking forward to receiving her GCSE results and spending the summer with friends.

Her cheerleading club also paid tribute to her kindness, infectious smile and passion for the sport.

For those who knew her, the 16-year-old is now being remembered not for the tragedy that ended her life, but for the joy she brought to the people around her.

INVESTIGATION INTO THE BOAT CONTINUES

The exact circumstances behind the incident remain under investigation.

Excursion operator Go Paradise DR said authorities had classified the incident as an accident caused by mechanical failure and confirmed that 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 the Lainton family, however, no investigation can change the heartbreaking reality.

A family holiday that was supposed to create unforgettable memories instead became a devastating tragedy — leaving a 16-year-old girl remembered forever by the people who loved her.