Tributes to 'effortlessly beautiful' 16-year-old
Abbie Lainton, 16, died in a tourist boat accident in the Dominican Republic, the BBC understands.
Tributes have been extended to a "beautiful" 16-year-old, Abbie Lainton, who reportedly died in a tourist boat accident in the Dominican Republic last month.
Abbie, from Swindon, Wiltshire, passed away on July 30, according to a fundraising page established to support her family.
Millie Fannin, director of Swindon Lightning Cheerleading Club, where Abbie was a member and coach, described the teenager as "exceptionally talented" and someone who "made the world a more beautiful place when she was in it."
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) expressed its condolences to the family and confirmed it is in contact with local authorities in the Dominican Republic, as is the BBC.
The BBC understands that other members of Abbie's family were also seriously injured in the incident.
Fannin characterized Abbie, who was awaiting her GCSE results, as a "fun-loving, enthusiastic, and kind-hearted individual" who was "adored instantly" by everyone.
"She was definitely one of the most popular young people I've ever met. She made everyone around her also feel beautiful and worthy of her time and her energy...it was impossible not to love her," Fannin added.
Abbie was also a former student at Tanwood School for Performing Arts, a youth musical theatre group.
As a cheerleader, Abbie competed globally and earned numerous trophies. "She was always in the top-scoring teams...she joined us out at the All Star World Championship where they secured a bronze medal so she made history in her own way there," Fannin stated.
Abbie was the main coach for a team of 24 girls who, Fannin said, "absolutely idolized her."
"When she had to have abdominal surgery to have her appendix out I literally had to tell her athletes not to run and hug her around her tummy...that was the reaction every time Abbie entered the gym - those girls loved her so, so much," Fannin recounted.
Fannin concluded: "I know our life will never be the same now - we will all be as strong as we can be and do all we can to keep her spirit here very much alive."
"I just say thank you to her for making me a better person in the time I got to know her and for making the world a more beautiful place," she added.
An FCDO spokesperson commented: "Our thoughts are with the Lainton family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support to the family and assisting other British nationals and their families affected by the incident. We are in contact with the local authorities."