Girl, 11, struck and killed by a boat propeller on Florida Lake

An 11-year-old girl was killed last weekend after she was struck by a boat propeller on a Florida lake, authorities said.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, November 5, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said its officials responded on Saturday, November 2, to a report of a boating accident at Lake Osborne in Palm Beach County.

The FWC added that, based on preliminary information, a 20-foot pontoon boat had two adults and three youths on board when the ship’s bow suddenly dropped.

One of the youths, identified as Brooke Mejeur, 11, was ejected from the vessel and thrown into the water where she was struck by a propeller, the FWC confirmed.

“The victim was removed from the water and transported to shore. Unfortunately, Brooke Mejeur died from her injuries,” the FWC statement said.

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“Our thoughts are with Brooke Mejeur’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” the committee added.

Luke Price, a skipper, told the local NBC affiliate WPTV that he had seen boating accidents happen in the area before.

“We’ve been in the water since we were born, so obviously we can get to a point where we get too comfortable and that’s not what you want here,” said Price, who described Saturday’s incident as tragic . “Anything can happen, always take precautions.”

The FWC said an investigation into the incident is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.

According to the FWC it is Lake Osborne consists of 356 acres of water and is surrounded by John Prince Park, with a boat ramp and fishing pier.