Annapolis, MD — A sailing accident at a youth camp left a 14-year-old girl dead when the sailboat capsized Thursday, June 23, 2011. The sailing accident occurred between boats in the Severn River near the U.S. Naval Academy at about 3:15 p.m., reported WUSA9.
According to officials, it is believed that 14-year-old Olivia Constants may have become entangled in the trapeze harness rigging when the 420 sailboat capsized while the students were practicing on maneuvering the sailboats. Constants and another student on the boat were wearing life jackets.
The capsized 420 sailboat was sailing with seven other boats, as well as three coaches who were in nearby motorboats.
The boat was reportedly downwind in fair conditions when it slowly rolled over.
The trapeze harness Constants was wearing is used to allow sailors to use their body weight to counterbalance the force of the wind to keep it from capsizing by leaning out over the water.
The other sailor with Constants was uninjured.
The coaches managed to rescue Constants and administer CPR, while calling for help on radios from the water. She was then brought to a seawall at the U.S. Naval Academy and rushed her to Anne Arundel County Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.
Constants was attending a camp run by the Severn Sailing Association at the time of the sailing accident.
Investigations into how Constants may have become tangled in the rigging are underway.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Maryland personal injury lawyers.
