Speedboat accident girl died of leg injuries
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An 11-year-old girl who was hit by a speedboat after falling from a banana boat died of severe leg injuries, a post-mortem examination has shown.
Mari-Simon Cronje was at a friend's birthday party when she fell into the water in a lake at the Princes sports club, near Feltham, west London, on Saturday.
It is believed the speedboat towing the banana boat may have turned back after she fell in the lake and accidentally run her over.
A 22-year-old man, understood to be the driver of the motorboat which was towing the girl, was arrested and released on bail.
Last night a Metropolitan Police spokesman: "A post-mortem examination took place at Fulham mortuary and concluded that cause of death was severe leg injuries.
"At this early stage, we believe the girl was on an inflatable banana boat, which was being towed by a motorboat, when she fell into the water. Inquiries continue to establish the full circumstances of the incident."
Mari-Simon Cronje's parents said in a statement: "Our beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Mari-Simon Cronje, was killed in a tragic water sports accident on Saturday afternoon at Princes Club, Bedfont near Feltham.
"She was a guest at a children's birthday party.
"We are still battling to come to terms with the news."
Paramedics and police officers were called to the club in Clockhouse Lane, Bedfont.
Mari-Simon, from London, was treated by ambulance service staff before being taken to West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth, where she died the same day.
The Metropolitan Police said officers from the Specialist Crime Directorate are investigating, alongside investigators from the Department for Transport's Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
The Princes Club has closed while investigations are carried out.