Shocking footage has emerged showing the moment a speeding migrant boat ploughed into a 17-year-old swimmer and left her seriously injured.
The video appears to show the vessel continuing towards the coast after the collision rather than stopping to help the teenager.
The small boat was carrying 14 migrants when it struck the girl around 200 metres off Su Giudeu Beach in Sardinia, Italy, on 16 August.
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The teenager, who was on holiday on the island and has not been named, suffered several fractures in the horrific collision.
She also lost consciousness, leaving her at risk of drowning in the water.
Beachgoers rushed to her aid before she was airlifted to a hospital in nearby Cagliari, where she was admitted to intensive care in a serious condition.
Her condition improved in the following days, and she has since been moved out of intensive care, as reported by Need To Know.
A 28-year-old Algerian man, who was allegedly at the helm of the boat, has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and causing extremely serious bodily injuries.
A 16-year-old boy who was swimming with the girl said he managed to dodge the vessel at the last moment before rushing to help his injured friend.
He told local media: “I was with her, I moved out of the way and saved myself. After the impact, they stopped, looked at us and ran away.”
He disputed claims that those on board had not realised they had hit the teenager.
He said: “It’s not true that they didn’t realise what had happened.”
Following the collision, the fibreglass vessel, powered by an 85-horsepower outboard motor, continued towards Tuerredda Beach.
The passengers allegedly got off after reaching the coast and attempted to flee on foot.
Police later tracked down the entire group, consisting of undocumented adult men believed to be Algerian nationals.
The alleged driver has been taken to prison in Uta while the investigation continues.
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