A British schoolgirl, 16-year-old Abigail Lainton from Swindon, died from burns suffered when a tourist catamaran exploded off the coast of the Dominican Republic during a family holiday. An inquest in Salisbury heard she sustained burns to 60% of her body when the vessel, carrying 35 people, caught fire while returning from Saona Island, and she died three days later after her condition deteriorated. The case has drawn attention to serious safety concerns raised by passengers before the blast, including reports of a fuel smell and overcrowding.

The inquest heard Abigail died of septic shock caused by septicaemia, itself a result of pulmonary oedema from first and second degree burns; her body has since been repatriated to Wiltshire. Two of her siblings, Carley and Bradley, were among more than 20 tourists badly injured in the explosion, which occurred after a "pop" was heard and the boat accelerated before bursting into flames. Witnesses said the boat had smelled of petrol and appeared overpacked, with concerns dismissed by the captain, and some passengers' life jackets were not properly fastened. Abigail was remembered by her cheerleading club and former dance school as a much-loved, exceptional performer who had been enjoying the summer after finishing her GCSEs.