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Sarasota, FL (October 2, 2018) - A 22-year-old dental student died in a boating accident on Sunday, September 30th. The accident took place on Saturday, September 29th at Lido Key Beach in Sarasota.
Around 4:50 pm, Margaret "Maggie" May Murray, was in the water off the beach. At the same time, a pontoon boat operated by 26-year-old Dax Benfield entered the water where Maggie was swimming. Maggie was struck in the head by the boat's propeller according to an initial investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Division. She was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital where she died the next day.
Murry was attending the LECOM School of Dental Medicine in Bradenton at the time of her death.
There is no word on whether Benfield will face charges in connection with the incident and an investigation is still underway.
In 2017, there were 766 boating accidents reported in Florida. As a state surrounded by water, boating is a popular activity among many residents. It is important to remember, however, that boating carries serious and potentially life-threatening consequences if those in and on the water do not exercise proper safety precautions.
In this case, it remains to be seen whether Dax Benfield acted negligently in causing the death of Maggie Murray. In Florida, a boater or swimmer may have rights if they are hurt in an accident on the water that was not their fault.
Our condolences are with the victim's family during this difficult time. If you have been hurt or injured in a boating accident, the Florida boating accident attorneys at Rubenstein Law can help. To speak with us for free, give us a call at 1-800 FL-Legal.
Rubenstein Law is dedicated to serving individuals & families injured by the negligence of others. We know first-hand the heartbreak that can be left behind after an accident. In our news blog, we write about cases of personal injury relevant to our line of work, and we report on news of judgments and appellate cases that affect the rights of personal injury claimants. We feel a responsibility to raise awareness of the injury and tragic loss of life occurring across our state every day.
Note: These posts are created using publicly available (secondary) sources, information has not been independently verified. If you see information that should be corrected, please bring it to our attention, and we will make adjustments.
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