Bahamas Boat Explosion: Dancer's Legs Amputated; She May Not Know

RUTLAND, VT — A Vermont dancer who was on a tourist boat that exploded in the Bahamas over the weekend had a double amputation — but might she not know it yet. Now, the public has raised more than $66,000 for medical and travel costs.

A dozen people, including 10 Americans, were aboard the boat when it burst into flames Saturday morning just minutes into a day trip near the island of Exuma, about 130 miles south of Nassau. Maleka Jackson, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was killed in the blast, ABC News reported. Video posted on social media showed passengers on a nearby boat frantically leap into the water to try to help the victims. A plume of thick, black smoke can be seen billowing into the air as massive flames engulf the vessel.

Stefanie Schaffer, 22, of Rutland, Vermont, was on the burning 40-foot boat with some of her family members at the time, according to a GoFundMe account created by the Schaffer family. The explosion left her fighting for her life in critical condition. Her mother, Stacey, suffered multiple broken bones and internal injuries.

"The next big step is to get Stefanie and Stacey transported to the states to continue with their medical support," an updated post said Monday.

Family members told NBC News the younger Schaffer, a senior at Castleton University, was seated just above the location of the blast.

"I don't think she knows she doesn't have any legs left," her uncle Brian Schaffer told the news outlet.

He added: "Trying think of what her life's going to be like and what we all need to do as a family to get her back to being that ballet dancer and soccer player. That's what I want to do."

Mike Schaffer, of Clifton Park, New York, told WCAX-TV that both her legs below her knees had to be amputated.

Stefanie's brother George Schaffer told ABC News she had danced her entire childhood. He and other family members were heading to Nassau to be with Stefanie and Stacey.

"Hang in there Stef I’m on my way," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Castleton University wrote in a Facebook post that the community was shocked and saddened by the news. The cause of the blast remains unknown and an investigation is ongoing.

Mike Schaffer said it's miraculous his sister wasn't killed.

"You see this stuff on TV but you don't ever think it's going to be someone you know, and it's my own blood, my own nieces," he said. "It's a miracle that Stef's even alive."

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Photo credit: GoFundMe