A 27 year old woman and her 5 month old baby died after a boat capsized near Liberty Island in New York Harbor on Saturday night, prompting a major emergency response from local authorities.
The mother and infant were among a group of people aboard the vessel when it overturned in the water. Both were taken to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn in critical condition but were later pronounced dead, according to officials.
The incident is now the subject of an investigation involving the U.S. Coast Guard and New York police, with authorities examining how the boat was being operated and whether it may have been used as part of an unauthorized charter service.
What happened near Liberty Island
The boat capsized Saturday night in the waters near Liberty Island, sending those aboard into the harbor and triggering a rescue operation.
Emergency crews responded quickly to the scene. Eleven other people were pulled from the water and transported to area hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.
The rescue effort involved multiple emergency agencies, including the Fire Department of New York and the Coast Guard. The rapid response helped locate and assist the people who entered the water after the vessel overturned.
The deaths of the woman and her baby were later confirmed after their conditions remained critical at the hospital.
Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the victims.
Captain faces criminal charge
The boat’s captain, was arrested following the incident and charged with reckless endangerment, according to the Coast Guard.
The charge comes as investigators work to determine what led to the vessel capsizing and whether safety requirements were followed before and during the trip.
Authorities are also investigating whether the boat was operating as part of an illegal charter service. Determining how the vessel was being used could be an important part of understanding the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details about the vessel and its operation have not been released.
Vessel remains in police custody
After the rescue operation, the capsized boat was towed to shore and placed in police custody as investigators continued examining the vessel.
Officials have not disclosed additional details about the boat’s condition or whether mechanical problems played a role in the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine the vessel and other available evidence as they work to establish what happened before it overturned.
The investigation could also determine whether additional charges or enforcement actions are warranted.
11 others rescued from the water
The 11 other people rescued from the boat survived the incident, although several were taken to hospitals for minor injuries.
The rescue underscores the dangers that can arise when a vessel overturns in a busy harbor, where passengers can quickly find themselves in the water and in need of emergency assistance.
Authorities have not indicated that any of the other rescued passengers suffered life threatening injuries.
The incident nevertheless resulted in the deaths of two members of the same family, a mother and her infant, making the investigation particularly significant for maritime safety officials.
Liberty Island draws visitors year round
The accident occurred near Liberty Island, home of the Statue of Liberty and one of New York Harbor’s best known landmarks.
The island attracts visitors from around the world, with many tourists traveling by boat to reach the landmark or view it from the surrounding waters. The Statue of Liberty, which was presented to the United States by France, was dedicated in 1886 and has remained one of the country’s most recognizable symbols.
With commercial tours, private vessels and other boats regularly operating throughout the harbor, maritime safety is an important concern for passengers and operators.
The circumstances surrounding Saturday night’s capsizing could therefore have implications beyond the individual vessel involved.
Investigation continues
For now, authorities are focused on determining why the boat overturned and whether the captain or operator violated any safety or charter regulations.
The Coast Guard is working with New York police as investigators examine the circumstances of the trip and the vessel’s operation. The boat remains in police custody while that work continues.
The deaths of the mother and her 5 month old child have left two families and a community grieving as authorities seek answers.
As the investigation moves forward, officials may provide additional information about the cause of the capsizing, the vessel’s operation and the legal proceedings involving Hernandez.
For the families of the victims, however, the investigation follows an immeasurable loss: two lives were cut short after a night on the water turned into a deadly emergency.
