An unfortunate boating accident took the life of 18-year-old Zeina Mahafzah from Wayne, New Jersey on Sunday, August 25, 2024. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. in the waters near Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars, on Long Beach Island.

The New Jersey State Police reported that Mahafzah was on a raft being towed by a boat operated by her father. While trying to get back onto the boat, she was hit by the boat’s propeller, causing severe injuries. Despite the rapid response from emergency services, Mahafzah was declared dead shortly after the accident. The traumatic event was witnessed by several people on the boat who were subsequently treated for shock 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 examining whether mechanical errors or other factors contributed to the incident. The investigation is still ongoing, and no additional details have been disclosed.

While boating accidents in the region are uncommon, they highlight the potential risks of water-based recreational activities. The U.S. Coast Guard urges strict adherence to safety protocols, as accidents can occur quickly, even in seemingly harmless conditions.

A similar incident took place in New Jersey in 2017. A crew member lost his life in a boating collision during the Offshore Grand Prix in Point Pleasant Beach.

As the probe into Mahafzah’s death continues, the community is rallying around her bereaved family. The authorities have asked for the family’s privacy to be respected and for the public to keep them in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Zeina had graduated from Wayne Hills High School in the spring and was about to start her freshman year in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University in Newark.