NJ student dies after being hit by boat propeller days before college

An 18-year-old New Jersey student died over the weekend off the New Jersey coast when she was struck by a boat propeller just days before she was due to begin her college studies, authorities said.

In an email to PEOPLE on Tuesday, August 27, the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) identified the victim as Zeina Mahafzah of Wayne, NJ

Police said officers responded to a boating incident in the waters off Sunset Park in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey late Sunday afternoon, August 25.

According to preliminary police investigations, Zeina was on a raft that was towed by the boat.

“While attempting to board the ship, she was hit by the ship's propeller,” the NJSP statement said, adding that Zeina died as a result of her injuries.

“The incident remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time,” NJSP said.

On social media, Harvey Cedars Police described the death as “a tragic boating accident… As the investigation is still in its early stages, we ask that you keep the family and community in your thoughts and prayers.”

According to the New York Daily NewsZeina recently graduated from Wayne Hills High School and was scheduled to begin her academic year at Rutgers University next week.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Rutgers University in Newark confirmed that Zeina is enrolled in fall 2024 courses.

“The Rutgers-Newark community is devastated by the news of Zeina’s death, and we send our support to the Mahafzah family during this incredibly difficult time,” the school said.

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On Monday, August 26, Zeina's father, Al Mahafzah, posted on Facebook a photo of his daughter and an invitation to family and friends to a prayer and funeral service planned for Wednesday, August 28.

According to the invitation, Zeina leaves behind her parents and two brothers

“We pray that Allah accepts all the good she has done and raises her to the highest level of paradise, heaven, and grants the family patience during this time,” the invitation says.

In the Facebook post, Ali wrote, according to one translation: “And we only say what pleases Allah, and we belong to Allah, and to Him we will return.”