Cruise Ship Law

As a Florida couple makes funeral arrangements for a their teenage daughter who died in parasail accident off Pompano Beach over the weekend, investigators are trying to piece together just what happened and how it could have been prevented.

A week shy of her 16th birthday, Amber White and her 17-year old sister Crystal, were visiting with South Florida with friends when they decided to go parasailing.

The teens, from Summerfield which is near Ocala, booked a ride with Island Waves Parasailing, also known as Pompano Beach Watersports Saturday.

As the boat was heading north near Pompano Beach, the winds increased from 15 mph to 25 mph and seas became choppy. When the driver of the boat tried to pull the girls back in, the tow line to their parachute rig snapped against the force of the wind and sent the girls flying towards the buildings on shore. Both girls crashed into a second story hotel balcony. Amber suffered critical neck and head wounds along with internal injuries. Crystal suffered a head injury along with numerous cuts and bruises.

CBS4 reporter Art Barron spoke with the girls step father who confirmed that Amber was pronounced brain dead Sunday evening and doctors had kept her body on life support machines until Amber's organs could be donated.

Monday Crystal was released from the hospital in good condition.

Shannon Kraus, Amber and Crystal White mother, released this statement Tuesday;

"The family of Amber and Crystal White would like to extend their gratitude for everyone's support and well wishes during this difficult time.

Currently, Crystal White, Amber's sister, is recovering from her injuries and is trying to cope with the loss of her younger sister. Her older brother Logan Taylor is now with the family, after receiving a special leave from the U.S. Marine Corps where he is stationed at Camp Pendleton.

The family has decided to donate Amber's organs in the hope of saving more lives.

A fund has been created to help with the funeral expenses. Donations can be made to the Amber Crystal White Fund at any Bank of America."

Meanwhile, Broward Sheriff’s investigators have yet to rule what may have caused the accident. Equipment failure, bad weather and possibly careless boating, or any combination of these factors, are all being considered.

CBS4

Our maritime firm is experienced in handling small boating accidents or accidents involving small boats. This type of accident would come under Federal Maritime Law.