Bizarre cause of death revealed for girl, 11, who fell off boat into lake and died
The horror unfolded around 4pm on July 27 on Lake Alexander as the girl, named as Maisy Livingston, lost her life after falling overboard. Her body was dragged from the lake around four hours later.
In a preliminary autopsy, authorities said that carbon monoxide toxicity was a contributing factor to her death, which led to her drowning.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said in a press release that Maisy 'is believed to have suffered sudden loss of consciousness due to carbon monoxide toxicity, which caused her to fall out of the boat.'
Three others on the boat were also treated for carbon monoxide toxicity, officials said, and they were in stable condition in local hospitals, per Fox11.
Officials said that it is believed that Maisy suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from being sat by the boat's engine as it chugged along for hours, a rare process known as the 'station wagon effect.'
The sheriff's office warned boaters to be aware of the risk even if they are sat in open air, as engines can spout noxious gas into the air around them despite not being in an enclosed space.
Tributes poured in for Maisy following the tragic accident, with her family writing in an obituary that she had a 'fun-loving spirit' and was a 'true joy to all who knew her, and her absence leaves a deep ache.'
The sheriff's office said in a statement: 'Although it is not a common event, there are numerous documented incidents of boats moving at slow speeds for extended periods of time, allowing carbon monoxide to build up in, and around, a watercraft.'
'This can occur even in open air boats which do not have an enclosed cabin area.'
Officials warned boaters to be up to date on the risks associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, noting that the toxic gas is colorless and odorless.
From 2000 to 2014, over 140 people were poisoned to death in similar open-air incidents while boating, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Maisy's family said in a heartbreaking tribute that she was a devoutly religious child who was 'kind, compassionate, thoughtful, and full of quiet joy.'
'Even at a young age, Maisy had a heart that was tuned to God's goodness,' they wrote.
'Maisy was a true joy to all who knew her, and her absence leaves a deep ache. But those who loved her take comfort in knowing that she is now in the presence of her Savior, whom she loved so dearly.'
Images from the scene showed a large law enforcement presence descended on the lake after Maisy fell overboard.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said it raced to the scene around 4pm that afternoon after receiving reports of a girl overboard who never resurfaced.
The Lincoln County Dive Team, Oneida County Dive Team, and Marathon County Dive Teams helped the search, with the Merrill Fire Department also joining efforts.
Officials said that sonar technology was used to locate the missing girl under the water, and her body was sadly dragged from the water several hours after she fell in.
The 11-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
Cops said that they have launched an investigation into the incident, and said that foul play is not suspected at this time.
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