Family mourns 6-year-old girl who was killed by father's golf shot

Relatives of a 6-year-old Utah girl who died after her father accidentally struck her with a golf ball are remembering her as a loving, playful child.

Aria Hill's uncle David Smith described her as a happy child who greeted strangers and enjoyed spending time with her parents. Smith told KSL-TV Monday that she went golfing often with her father and that it was one of their favorite activities to do together.

Police say the ball struck Hill in the back of the head on Monday morning, while the father and daughter were golfing at Sleepy Ridge Golf Course in Orem about 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Salt Lake City.

"A complete, fluke accident — you couldn't repeat it if you tried," Smith told

The ball hit the base of her neck. Lt. Trent Colledge of the Orem Police Department says she was flown to a hospital in Salt Lake City in critical condition and later died from her injuries.

Steven Marett, the head golf professional at the course, told

"This is absolutely unimaginable, and it's been devastating," Marett said.

Colledge said police are not planning to pursue charges because it appears to have been a tragic accident.

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Information from: Deseret News.