Extracted from The Tuscaloosa News (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Saturday, May 26, 1962

Donna Propst Dies in Blast

GULF SHORES -- Donna Propst, 16-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. K. B. Propst of Tuscaloosa, was killed here this morning when a 36-foot cabin cruiser on which she was riding exploded and burned.

Miss Propst was on a cruise with her parents and sister, Debbie, Troy Abston and his son, William, of Brookwood.

The cruiser, owned by Troy Abston, exploded shortly after it had been fueled at a marina here. The boat burned to the water line.

Witnesses said Miss Propst was seated on a hatch when the explosion occurred and was blown into the engine compartment. The others on the boat jumped to a dock. All were burned and taken to hospitals at Foley and Mobile.

Full extent of their injuries had not been determined late this morning but hospital reports said they were suffering from second and third degree burns.