Son of Francis Ford Coppola dies in boating accident with son of Ryan O'Neal

Gian-Carlo Coppola, 22, son of renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, died in a tragic boating accident on May 26, 1986. The incident occurred while he and his friend, 21-year-old Griffin O'Neal (son of actor Ryan O'Neal), were on a break from filming "Gardens of Stone." The film was being shot at Arlington National Cemetery, near the South River in Maryland.

Coppola and O'Neal had rented a 4.2-meter boat for a leisurely ride on the river. While O'Neal was driving, he attempted to maneuver between two other boats connected by a nylon tow cable. He managed to duck and avoid the cable, sustaining only a minor shoulder brush. However, Coppola did not see the cable and was struck forcefully, thrown backward onto the boat's deck. The impact resulted in a fatal head injury.

Emergency medical teams arrived quickly and transported Coppola to Anne Arundel General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The accident occurred during the Memorial Day holiday in the United States, a time when filming for "Gardens of Stone" was paused. Both young men were involved in the film, with Gian-Carlo working as a camera operator and Griffin in a supporting role.