The 11-year-old daughter of former MLS goalkeeper Brad Knighton is killed in a boating accident in South Carolina after being struck by a propeller as she fell overboard.
- Olivia was one of nine who fell off the boat and was later hit by a propeller.
- Authorities say the circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear.
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The 11-year-old daughter of a former MLS player has died in a boating accident in South Carolina after being struck by a propeller.
The daughter of retired New England Revolution goaltender Brad Knighton, Olivia, was one of a dozen people on a 23-foot boat in Horry County Wednesday when the boat was rocked by a “large wake caused by another boat,” the state Department of Natural Resources reported Friday.
Olivia was one of nine people who fell off the boat and was consequently struck by a propeller. She was the only person injured, according to the department, which says the circumstances of the accident remain unclear.
“There are no words to express the depth of our deep pain and sadness at this time,” read a note posted on Brad’s Instagram page.
“Our family is still in shock from the sudden and tragic loss of our beautiful and brilliant daughter, Olivia, in an unfortunate boating accident yesterday. We are still in disbelief that her bright and pure light has been taken from us so suddenly. Somehow we will get through this together as a family.
Olivia (pictured on her birthday) was one of nine who fell off the boat in South Carolina.
Brad Knight’s Instagram page is full of photos of his family, including 11-year-old Olivia.
Brad Knight posted a tribute to his daughter Olivia on his Instagram page after the accident.
‘Olivia loved soccer and the Revolution with all her heart. Our family always felt her support behind us during my career. We will need you and your prayers with us now more than ever.’
The tribute was signed by Brad, his wife Britney and their sons, Owen and Brooks.
Knighton played in MLS from 2007 until 2022, when he became manager of the Foxborough, Massachusetts-based Revolution’s youth academy.
The team also honored Olivia this week.
“Olivia was a bright, shining light who was a beloved presence around Revolution her entire life, always bringing a warm smile and laughter to Gillette Stadium and our training facility when she visited us,” read a team statement posted on Instagram. “His sudden loss of her leaves a deep void in our hearts.”
