Investigators are still looking into the death of an 8-year-old girl who was struck by a boat propeller at Lake Monroe Sunday evening.
According to a release from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the girl was boating with her father and friends and was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
Indiana Conservation Officer Lieutenant Angela Goldman says that a great day on the lake can instantly turn into a tragedy.
“Immediately after she engaged with that propeller, the family and friends were able to get her up on the boat, immediately 911 was called, emergency services were here, she was packaged and taken to the hospital,” she says. “It was at the hospital that she was declared deceased.”
The young girl was taken to IU Bloomington Health Hospital following the incident.
She is identified as Callee Crones-Arias of Martinsville.
Goldman says this is one of several boating accidents and drownings across the state this year.
“When you’re boating with young children, it’s just imperative that they understand the dangers that come with swimming around a boat, especially one that is still in gear.”
It’s unknown if the boat was privately owned or a rental.
The exact cause of death will be determined at the autopsy scheduled for tomorrow.
Emma Atkinson contributed to this story,
This story will be updated.
