A tragic boating accident resulted in the death of 18-year-old Zeina Mahafzah from Wayne, New Jersey on Sunday, August 25, 2024. The incident took place around 4:30 PM in the waters near Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars, situated on Long Beach Island.
According to the New Jersey State Police, Mahafzah was enjoying a ride on a raft pulled by a boat operated by her father. While trying to get back onto the boat, she was hit by the boat’s propeller, leading to severe injuries. Despite prompt attention from emergency services, Mahafzah succumbed to her injuries shortly after the accident. Witnesses on the boat were offered trauma care at the scene.
The investigation into the accident is being led by the Harvey Cedars Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Marine Bureau. The authorities are striving to uncover if mechanical failure or other factors contributed to the incident. The investigation is still ongoing, and no additional details have been revealed.
Although boating accidents are not common in this region, they serve as sobering reminders of the risks involved in water-related recreational activities. The U.S. Coast Guard urges strict adherence to safety measures as accidents can occur unexpectedly, even in seemingly safe conditions.
A similar incident took place in New Jersey in 2017, when a crew member lost his life in a boating collision during the Offshore Grand Prix at Point Pleasant Beach.
As the probe into Mahafzah’s accident continues, the community is rallying around her bereaved family. Authorities have asked for the family’s privacy to be respected and for the public to offer their thoughts and prayers during this period of grief.
