A Liberty Island charter boat capsize late Saturday night in New York Harbor left a 27-year-old mother and her 5-month-old daughter dead, authorities said. Twelve other passengers were rescued from the water, while the boat operator was arrested following the deadly incident.
The vessel overturned at about 10:20 p.m., prompting a major emergency response involving the New York City Fire Department and NYPD Harbor Unit, scuba and aviation teams.
Mother and Infant Found in Water
The victims were identified as 27-year-old Sara Sanchez and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia. Both were pulled from the water and taken in critical condition to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, where they were later pronounced dead.
The Coast Guard confirmed that the two victims were a mother and child. The family’s loss has left relatives and friends devastated, as the young family had been living in Queens.
The father of the infant was also aboard the boat and survived the accident. According to ABC7 New York, the couple also had a 6-year-old son who was with a sitter at the time of the incident.
Twelve Passengers Rescued
Twelve other people aboard the vessel were rescued from the water and taken to hospitals with minor injuries, according to officials. Emergency crews mounted a large-scale response after the boat overturned.
The boat was identified as a 22-foot bowrider powerboat, a type of vessel that typically accommodates about 10 to 12 people. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the capsizing.
A nearby sightseeing vessel also helped rescue passengers before and during the emergency response, according to the Associated Press.
Boat Operator Arrested
Police arrested 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez of Manhattan and charged him with 13 counts of reckless endangerment. Authorities are also investigating whether the trip may have been operating as an illegal charter.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Investigative Service and NYPD are involved in the investigation. Officials have not yet determined the precise cause of the capsizing.
The investigation will examine the vessel, the number of people aboard and whether required safety and operating regulations were followed.
Investigation Continues
The deadly accident occurred in the waters surrounding Liberty Island, a heavily traveled part of New York Harbor. The response involved multiple emergency agencies as rescuers searched the water for passengers.
The Coast Guard expressed condolences to the victims’ family and said investigators would work to determine what led to the tragedy.
Source: abc7ny
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