‘Effortlessly kind’: 17-year-old girl killed in boat crash off Cape Cod identified

DENNIS, Mass. — The 17-year-old girl killed when the boat she was riding in crashed into a jetty off Cape Cod Friday has been identified.

Sadie Mauro, a rising senior at Dover-Sherborn High School, was one of six passengers aboard a boat that struck a jetty off Cold Storage Beach Friday night. Local emergency crews and the United States Coast Guard launched a search-and-rescue operation in Sesuit Harbor around 11 p.m. for a missing person on the boat that crashed around two hours earlier, according to Massachusetts State Police.

In a letter to families Saturday, Dover-Sherborn High School Principal John Smith said that the community was “devastated and heartbroken” regarding the tragic crash.

“Sadie’s smile could light up a room, she had a heart of gold and the sweetest spirit,” wrote Smith. “She had such a strong sense of self and had a love for adventure and anything outdoors. A hardworking student and great athlete, Sadie was genuine and effortlessly kind.”

17-year-old girl dead after boat crashes into jetty off Cape Cod

A teenage boy was also taken to Cape Cod Hospital with a head laceration.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the vessel was equipped with two outboard 250-horsepower engines bearing an Alabama registration, according to the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office.

A state police marine unit and underwater recovery unit, along with Massachusetts Environmental Police marine assets, conducted dive operations at the crash site on Saturday in an effort to recover debris from the boat.

State police didn’t say if charges will be filed in connection with the crash.

Vide from scene of deadly Cape boat crash

School officials told families that the high school library will be open Monday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for all middle and high school students to gather.

“Members of the counseling team will be available in addition to a crisis counselor from the Riverside Trauma Center and service dogs from both the Dover and Sherborn police departments,” wrote Smith in the letter.

“The Dover-Sherborn community is strong and is known for its strength and resiliency in the face of unimaginable tragedy. We will continue to support each other in the days and weeks ahead as we surround Sadie’s family, friends and loved ones with care and love,” added Dover-Sherborn Public Schools Superintendent Beth McCoy. “I will be hugging my children extra tight this evening - I am sure you will do the same.”

State police detectives assigned to the DA’s office and Dennis police are conducting the death investigation.

It wasn’t immediately clear what led up to the crash.

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Cape Cod boat crash

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