A tragic incident occurred near Miami when a sailing camp boat carrying two children was struck by a barge, leading to their deaths, as stated by officials. The crew of the sailing vessel included one adult and five children, all part of a youth sailing programme for kids aged between 7 and 15, hosted by the Miami Yacht Club.
Rescue efforts were prompt, with all six individuals retrieved from the water. Unfortunately, two of the children were declared dead upon arrival at a local hospital, as confirmed by U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Strasburg. Two other rescued children are reported to be in good condition.
Emily Copeland, the yacht club’s commodore, expressed the devastation felt within the MYC community over the incident. According to the Coast Guard, last year there were over 550 fatalities associated with recreational boating, with vessel collisions accounting for 43 of those deaths.
The collision took place in Biscayne Bay near Star Island, a location situated between Miami and Miami Beach, as detailed by Arielle Callender from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Reports from local media showcased rescue teams, some donned in diving equipment, at the scene near the barge. An investigation by the Coast Guard into the circumstances surrounding the crash is currently underway.