New details show teen's surprising cause of death

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Investigators originally assumed she'd drowned, but new details have emerged about the tragic death of a Columbus County teenager.

16-year-old Raven Little-White died in August, after a boating accident on Lake Waccamaw. The medical examiner's report lists "drowning" as the probable cause of death, but a toxicology report that came back later revealed Raven had actually succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Even though the back of the boat is known as the "kill zone," experts say many people assume the danger has to do with being injured by the propeller.

Wildlife Patrol Officer Matt Criscoe says many people are not aware of the potentially deadly fumes.

See how Raven's death will be incorporated into boater safety courses Wednesday on WECT News at 11.

Copyright 2017 WECT. All rights reserved.