Mother, infant die as boat capsizes off Liberty Island
A boat capsizing near Liberty Island resulted in the deaths of a 27-year-old mother and her 5-month-old infant, while 12 others were rescued. The boat's operator has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment as authorities investigate whether the vessel was operating as an illegal charter.
Why it matters
This tragedy highlights the dangers of unregulated maritime transport and the legal consequences for operators who bypass safety protocols.
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A 5-month-old girl and a 27-year-old mother from Queens died after a boat overturned off Liberty Island late Saturday night, according to officials. Twelve other people were rescued from the water, and the boat's operator was arrested.
The boat overturned at about 10:20 p.m., prompting a large emergency response involving FDNY and NYPD Harbor, scuba and aviation units.
The infant and woman, identified as 5-month-old Antonella Garcia and 27-year-old Sara Sanchez, were transported to NYU Langone Brooklyn in critical condition, where they were later pronounced dead. The U.S. Coast Guard said the two passengers who were killed were a mother and child; however, police said it was not immediately clear whether the two were related.
The 12 other passengers rescued from the water were taken to hospitals with minor injuries.
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