A schoolgirl who died in a speedboat accident became trapped under the vessel after her buoyancy aid caught on part of the boat, police said.
Emily Gardner, 14, of Gloucester, was named yesterday as the victim of the accident which took place off Brixham in Devon on Saturday afternoon.
She was on board the 16ft vessel with two other girls, aged 15, and a 50-year-old man when it hit a wave and capsized.
The group were on holiday in Devon at the time of the accident and Emily was with a friend’s family.
A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Enquiries are continuing into the cause of the incident. From the enquiries conducted so far, reports suggest that the boat hit a wave before overturning. The four people on the boat were then thrown overboard as a result.
"It appears that Emily became trapped due to her buoyancy aid getting caught on part of the boat.
"The other people on the boat and the jet ski riders tried to help Emily but could not free her. The RNLI crew freed her from the boat and took her to the shore.”
The statement described the incident as a “tragic accident” and said there are no suspicious circumstances.
A family tribute said: “Our beautiful Emily was a caring loving, gentle daughter and sister. She was full of life and had the world ahead of her. She was our diamond, now shining bright in the sky.
"She will be missed and forever in our hearts."
