Abigail Lainton’s family has raised nearly $36,000 through a GoFundMe appeal launched after the 16-year-old died from burns sustained in a tour boat explosion off the Dominican Republic.
The British teen, known as Abbie, passed away on the evening of July 30 at a hospital in La Romana, three days after the Costa Romantica pleasure cruiser caught fire near Cotubanama National Park. An inquest hearing held after her body was returned to the UK determined she died of septic shock caused by septicemia as a result of pulmonary edema, according to reports.
Abbie suffered first- and second-degree burns over 60% of her body when the vessel, packed with around 35 tourists, exploded while returning from a trip to Saona Island. Smoke had begun billowing from the boat before the blast, according to multiple accounts from those on board.
Passengers Gisell Segovia and her husband, Navin Torres, described mounting concerns before the explosion. “The front of the boat exploded,” Torres said. “It took me a couple of seconds to analyze what was going on [when] the fire started spreading toward me and my wife.”
Segovia recalled the sudden violence of the incident. “All I remember was like hearing a pop noise,” she shared. “And then the people sitting on the left side of the boat, they flew off their seats, including the benches that they were sitting on.”
Abbie was among 11 people rushed to the local hospital, but her condition deteriorated rapidly. In total, 24 people were injured in what Dominican officials described as a “tragic accident.” Two of Abbie’s siblings were also hurt, though no updates on their condition have been provided.
The cause of the explosion remains under official investigation. Go Paradise DR, the company that organized the excursion, stated that authorities “declared by the authorities to be an accident caused by a mechanical failure.” The company added that the Costa Romantica “been removed from the booking platforms” following the incident.
The GoFundMe appeal, which has reached almost 90% of its $40,000 target, paints a picture of a vibrant young life cut short. “Abbie had her whole life ahead of her,” the page reads. “She should have been enjoying the summer with her friends.” The fundraiser notes that “she was so loved by her family, friends and everyone who knew her,” reflecting her standing as a popular cheerleader and dancer in her community back home.
Torres and Segovia were among passengers who described the vessel as “overpacked” and said it “smelled like gasoline” before the fatal blast, raising questions about safety conditions aboard the tour boat.
“It was an accident at sea and was very tragic,” a local official said of the incident that has left a British family shattered and prompted an outpouring of financial support from strangers moved by Abbie’s story.
The GoFundMe for Abbie’s family remains active as donations continue to come in.