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Miami Herald
01-08-2025
- Miami Herald
Captain who crashed barge into sailboat in Miami Beach not impaired: officials
The captain of the tugboat pushing a barge that slammed into a Miami Yacht Club summer-camp sailboat Monday morning in Biscayne Bay —killing two young girls and critically injuring two others — was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the Coast Guard said. Capt. Frank Florio, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, previously said the sobriety test included a blood draw and is part of his agency's investigation into the tragic collision. Florio said the operator provided a statement but didn't elaborate on what the captain told investigators. Another person onboard the barge — as well as the 19-year-old camp counselor operating the sailboat — were also tested for alcohol and drugs. Those results, too, came back negative. Mila Yankelevich, 7, and Erin Ko Han, 13, were killed after the 60-foot barge collided with the 17-foot Hobie Gateway just after 11 a.m in Biscayne Bay. The boat, part of a sailing camp at the Miami Yacht Club on Watson Island, capsized after the barge ran over the sailboat between Hibiscus and Monument islands off Miami Beach. READ MORE: Two girls dead, two others critical after barge hits sailboat in Biscayne Bay: Coast Guard There were several sailboats in the water at the time and the counselor and girls on the Hobie were yelling and waving for the barge to stop. Three roofers working at a home on Hibicus Island who witnessed the collison and the moments leading up to it told the Herald they, too, were screaming to get the barge to stop. READ MORE: We were screaming and screaming.' Witnesses watch as barge hits sailboat of campers The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Officer said the two girls accidentally drowned. READ MORE: The two young girls who died in sailboat crash drowned: Medical Examiner Two other campers, ages 8 and 11, were critically injured and rushed to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, officials say. The camp counselor and a 12-year-old girl were treated at the scene. The U.S. Coast Guard, which is leading the investigation into the crash, has yet to publicly identify the victims nor indicate the girls' conditions at Jackson. 'The entire MYC family is devastated by this terrible tragedy,'' Emily Copeland, the Miami Yacht Club's commodore, said in an email to the Herald. READ MORE: 'Not some boujee yacht club.' Miami Yacht Club has mission of teaching kids to sail The Coast Guard is also urging witnesses to contact investigators at MiamiIo@ and provide any images, video and information they may have about the crash.
Miami Herald
31-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Video captures moment barge slams into sailboat carrying campers in Biscayne Bay
Security camera footage reveals the moment a barge rammed into a sailboat carrying five kids and a camp counselor on board — killing two girls and critically injuring two more in Miami Beach. The footage — taken from across the Biscayne Bay — shows the small sailboat with bright colored sails floating in place in the water Monday morning between Hisbiscus and Monument islands. READ MORE: 'We were screaming and screaming.' Witnesses watch as barge hits sailboat of campers The 60-foot barge then collides with the 17-foot Hobie Gateway, going over the small boat until the neon colored sails sink out of frame. The crash killed Mila Yankelevich,7, and Erin Ko Han,13. Two other campers, ages 8 and 11, were critically injured. A large crane could be seen on the barge that was being pushed by a tugboat. READ MORE: 'Indelible mark.' Chilean school identifies girl killed in Miami sailboat crash Another camper, a 12-year-old girl, and the 19-year-old camp counselor were rescued. The U.S Coast Guard, which is investigating the crash, said at a Tuesday press conference that the agency conducted an alcohol test on the captain of the tug boat and will be investigating whether the tug and barge's crew were properly licensed to be on the water. READ MORE: Captain who crashed into sailboat in Miami Beach given sobriety test: officials
