A British girl died after suffering fatal burns when she was caught in a boat explosion on a family holiday.

Abigail Lainton was travelling with her family on a tourist vessel from the Saona Island in the Dominican Republic when it suddenly blew up in the water.

The boat was carrying around 35 tourists in the Cotubanamá National Park when the explosion ripped the deck apart.

The 16-year-old, known as Abbie to her friends, was among 24 people injured and 11 taken to hospital. She was placed in intensive care at a facility in the city of La Romana following the incident.

She sustained first and second degree burns on 60% of her body and died at 9pm on July 30, three days after the incident.

An inquest in the UK has now been told her cause of death was septicaemia or blood poisoning as a result of pulmonary edema.

Abbie’s two siblings, Carley and Bradley, were also taken to hospital but their condition is unknown.

A GoFundMe page for the family has since raised more than £26,000 of its £30,000 target. You can support it here.

Becky Jamieson, a family friend, said: ‘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.’

Gisell Segovia was with her husband Navin Torres, 35, on the boat and saw Abbie badly wounded by the blast.

Mr Torres said he had concerns about the boat when he boarded, including recalling that it smelled like ‘gasoline’ and appeared overcrowded.

However, the pair were assured by staff it was safe.

The couple heard a loud popping sound before fire spread across the vessel. Mr Torres said he pushed his wife into the water as flames engulfed the stricken boat.

He added that Abbie had fought like a ‘warrior’ and ‘did not go out without a fight’.

A Dominican Republic official described the incident as ‘very tragic’ and said it had ‘touched everyone on the island’.

‘We will offer every assistance that we can during this sorrowful time. Our prayers are with the family,’ they added.

Fellow members of Abbie’s cheerleading squad, Swindon Lightning Cheerleading club, were left ‘heartbroken’ at the news.

A spokesperson said: ‘There are simply no words that feel enough.

‘Abbie was a much-loved member of our Swindon Lightning family.

‘Her kindness, infectious smile, unwavering encouragement and love for cheerleading touched the lives of so many athletes, coaches and families over the years.

‘She brought so much light to our gym, and her loss has left us all heartbroken.’

Abbie’s school, Tandwood School of Performing Arts, said in a statement: ‘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.’

The school said she ‘always performed with a huge smile’ and Abbie will ‘always be in our hearts.’

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