Cause of death revealed for two girls killed in sailboat crash near Miami Beach
According to the medical examiner's report, 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich and 13-year-old Erin Ko Han died from accidental drowning.
The two girls were among five campers and a camp counselor who were on the sailboat when it was struck by a barge in Biscayne Bay, between Hibiscus Island and Monument Island, authorities said. The sailboat was dragged under the barge which had a crane on top and what appeared to be pilings for a dock.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the barge had been supporting construction work in the Miami Beach area prior to the accident.
An 8-year-old girl and an 11-year-old girl injured in the crash remain at Jackson Memorial Hospital. A 12-year-old girl and a 19-year old woman were evaluated after the crash but were not taken to a hospital. Their names have not been released.
The children were part of a summer sailing camp operated by the Miami Yacht Club and affiliated with the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation.
Ko Han, who was from Chile, moved with her family to the United States in 2024. That's according to her former school, Colegio San Pedro Nolasco Vitacura in Santiago, which posted her obituary on Facebook.
"Erin left a mark that's indelible. It's indelible. So that's very important for us to pass that on. While she was here, she was a light for us, for our school," elementary school director Francisca Aburto said. "For me, I also taught Erin before taking over as principal. I was her teacher in fifth grade, and in sixth grade. It was a wonderful experience."
Ko Han's former homeroom teacher Paula Escobar said: "She was a beautiful, happy, healthy girl who had her whole life ahead of her."
Yankelevich was the youngest daughter of television producer and director Tomas Yankelevich and actress Sofia Reca.
Her grandparents are Cris Morena and Gustavo Yankelevich, two prominent Argentine media producers. They flew to Miami on Wednesday to be with family.
Marcelo Tinelli, a friend of the family and popular Argentine television host, posted on X that he was "devastated" by Mila's death.
"I can't believe it," he wrote. "My immense love to the entire family, who are part of my life."
Mila, who lived in both Surfside and Argentina with her family, is remembered as a joyful child who loved dancing, singing and dressing up in costumes.
The Coast Guard, which is the lead agency in the crash investigation, said Tuesday it will be thorough.
"Know that we grieve with you. We will not take this lightly and we will not forget. We owe you answers and we are committed to finding them," Coast Guard Miami Sector Commander Frank Florio said.
Coast Guard officials said all of the children were wearing life jackets at the time of the collision.
Florio said they have interviewed the captain of the tugboat that was piloting the barge.
"We did do alcohol testing and we have conducted the chemical testing as well," he said.
Those test results are pending.
The Coast Guard has asked the public for any information they may have on the crash. They said they are casting a wide net hoping to get as much information as possible for investigators. Ted Scouten and
Mauricio Maldonado
contributed to this report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
22 minutes ago
- CNN
Trump says he's considering taking over DC police and bringing in National Guard
President Donald Trump says he's considering the federal government taking over Washington, DC, and bringing in the National Guard after a former DOGE employee was assaulted in an attempted carjacking.
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
2 teens injured in electric scooter accident in Springfield, Pennsylvania, police say
Two 14-year-old boys were injured, including one critically, after their electric scooter crashed into a pickup truck in Springfield, Pennsylvania, police said. The crash happened on Tuesday just before 9 p.m. on the 400 block of North Bishop Avenue, which is just north of Baltimore Pike, according to the Springfield Township Police Department. One of the boys sustained injuries that include a broken arm, and the other suffered serious injuries and remains in critical condition, police said. Police said the teens were riding together on an electric scooter south on Bishop Avenue from Garrett Road, and the pickup truck was heading in the same direction. The teens, who were to the left of the truck, then collided with the vehicle as they were passing Sycamore Avenue, police said. The boys were knocked off the scooter and taken to the hospital. Police said the driver of the pickup truck stayed on the scene and immediately called 911. The driver has cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation, police said. Tuesday's electric scooter crash happened about two months after a similar incident in Aston Township. On June 14, a 12-year-old girl was killed and an 11-year-old girl was injured in an electric scooter accident in Aston. Abigail Gillon, 12, died from her injuries, and Isabella Jones, 11, was injured after they were riding an electric scooter at Lehr Boulevard near Concord Road. Jones has since been released from the hospital. Delaware County state Sen. Tim Kearney plans to introduce Abby's Law to create safety regulations for electric scooters after the accident. The crash in Springfield is under investigation.
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
Fewer public entrances to Minnesota Capitol building under new security changes
There are fewer public entrances and more security officers around the Minnesota State Capitol under new changes public safety officials implemented on Wednesday. The move comes in wake of the deadly targeted attacks against state lawmakers and their spouses and a separate security breach of the Minnesota Senate chamber last month when a naked man got inside after hours. "The Capitol is more than just a building. It's a symbol of democracy and a place where Minnesotans come to be heard," Bob Jacobsen, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, said in a statement. "These updated security measures reflect our responsibility and commitment to protecting everyone who works at or visits the Capitol while keeping the building open and accessible to all. We remain committed to continuously reviewing and improving security protocols." Anyone can enter the Capitol in St. Paul, which is part of a broader 140-acre complex with other state government buildings, during normal business hours. There is no security checkpoint or metal detectors, but now there are fewer doors for entry on the south side of the building, facing downtown St. Paul. Access from the Minnesota Senate Building parking ramp to the Capitol is also now restricted to key card holders; anyone parking there who doesn't have one will need to request a security escort to get inside. The Department of Public Safety in a news release also said Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger will oversee security at the Capitol more directly, and that the change "elevates Capitol security within the State Patrol's organizational structure, ensuring that swift and decisive actions can be taken when necessary." The State Patrol is also hiring a third-party expert to conduct a security assessment of the Capitol complex. Jacobsen told reporters last week he wanted input from lawmakers before taking significant actions to boost security. In two weeks, the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security, whose members include lawmakers and public safety officials in an advisory role, will meet for the first time since the shootings and the Senate chamber break-in. Separately, WCCO first reported last month that the Minnesota House and Senate were tapping into their state budgets to help cover the costs for enhanced home security for lawmakers who seek the upgrades. There's been a spotlight on safety in wake of the June 14 attacks when a masked gunman targeted lawmakers in their homes. Authorities say he had a hit list with other state and federal elected officials' names on it. Sergio Comcepcion, who lives in Minneapolis, said he was surprised that there wasn't a security checkpoint like other state capitols he has visited. But he likes Minnesota's accessible building because he believes it's more welcoming. "I know some security is okay, but not, like, super crazy security for entering inside because that's scary for people coming to visit this incredible building," Comcepcion said. Steven Bloomfield, visiting Minnesota from New York City, said making changes in wake of the lawmaker shootings and a climate with heightened political rhetoric is understandable. "I think that everything should be on the table when it comes to, you know, ensuring the safety of the public, and public officials as well, that are here to do the job of the people," he told WCCO.
