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Brad Knighton, of Attleboro in Bristol County, announced the death on social media Thursday.
There are no words to express the depth of our profound grief and sorrow in this moment. Our family is still in shock at the sudden and tragic loss of our beautiful and brilliant daughter, Olivia, to an unfortunate boating accident yesterday. We are all still in disbelief that her bright and pure light was taken away from us so suddenly. Somehow, we will get through this together as a family.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources said Thursday that a ship's wake rocked the boat the Knightons were on, throwing nine of 12 people overboard. Olivia was struck by the boat's propeller. She died later at a Myrtle Beach hospital.
Brad Knighton retired after 12 seasons with the New England Revolution. He now serves as head coach of the U-19 Revolution Academy.
The team released a statement Thursday calling Olivia a "bright and shining light."
"The entire New England Revolution community is devastated to learn of the Knighton family's tragic loss," the team said. "Olivia was a bright and shining light who was a beloved presence around the Revolution throughout her entire life, always bringing a warm smile and laugh to Gillette Stadium and our training facility when she would visit. Her sudden loss leaves a profound hole in our hearts."
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