Teen dies at sailing camp

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WUSA) -- A 14-year old girl who died in an accident at a youth sailing camp was wearing a trapeze harness when the boat she was on capsized Thursday in the Severn River, investigators say.

Investigators believe 14-year-old Olivia Constants may have become tangled in the trapeze harness rigging and held underwater when the 420 sailboat capsized as students practiced maneuvering the boats in the Severn River near the US Naval Academy at about 3:15 Thursday afternoon. Weather at the time was sunny and warm.

A trapeze harness is used to allow sailors to use body weight to lean out over the water in order to counterbalance the force of the wind on the boat and prevent it from tipping.

Constants and a companion were both wearing life jackets. The other sailor was unhurt.

The 420 is a lightweight 13-foot racing-class sailboat that is normally operated by two people. The sailors were participating in a camp run by the Severn Sailing Association.

The boat was sailing downwind in fair conditions and rolled slowly as it went over, witnesses told investigators.

The 420 that capsized was sailing in a group of seven boats attended by three coaches nearby in motorboats. The coaches rescued Constants, started CPR and called for help on radios while still on the water, investigators said.

The victim was brought to the seawall at the nearby U.S. Naval Academy. Annapolis paramedics rushed her to the Anne Arundel County Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators are trying to determine how Constant may have become tangled in the rigging of the boat.
 
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