A teen ballerina has died after she was hit by an unidentified boater while waterskiing in Florida over the weekend.
According to PEOPLE, Ella Adler was waterskiing near a beach in Key Biscayne, Fla., when she was reportedly hit by a boater, who fled the scene. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that the incident occurred in a statement posted on Instagram.
“Witnesses or anyone with information on a boating accident that occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 11 in Miami are asked to come forward,” the post reads. “A juvenile was waterskiing near Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne when she was hit by a vessel. The juvenile died from her injuries.”
Authorities are currently looking for the boater who hit the teen ballerina. “[The boat] was last seen heading westbound from Nixon Beach. It is described as a center console boat with a light blue hull. The boat has multiple white outboard motors and may have blue or dark blue bottom paint.”
Those who have information are told to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).
Teen Ballerina Described As Someone Who ‘Emanated Love and Joy’
In her obituary, teen ballerina Ella Adler was described as a “force of nature.”
“When she was near, everyone felt a gravitational pull toward her,” the obituary reads. “In her 15 years on this earth, she dazzled us with her light. She emanated love and joy. She was beautiful. When she walked into a room, everyone was drawn to her.”
Adler’s family also stated that she loved to dance as well as her friends and family members – parents Amanda and Matthew, and her younger siblings Jaden and Adalynn.
“Ella shone on stage as a ballerina in the Nutcracker, appearing in over 100 performances with the Miami City Ballet at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Her magnetism radiated on the stage, where she belonged and thrived. Her love of dance continued at Ransom Everglades, where she performed on the dance team and, just a few weeks ago, in the school play.”
The family then added that Ella had a precocious discipline and focus that belied her age. “She did not know what it was to work at half-speed. She gave everything her all and because of that, her energy made her stand apart.”
Adler’s school, Ransom Everglades School, also released a statement on Instagram. “We are heartbroken. Ella Adler ’27 shined in our classrooms and on our stages, and she embodied the mission of Ransom Everglades School. We wish peace and comfort to her family.”