A third child has died following a collision between a barge and a sailing camp boat near Miami, the US Coast Guard has confirmed. The incident occurred on 28 July in Biscayne Bay, between Miami and Miami Beach.
The 10-year-old girl, identified by local media as Ari Buchman, died on Sunday after being hospitalised in critical condition. Two other girls, Mila Yankelevich, seven, and Erin Ko, 13, were pronounced dead shortly after the crash. An eight-year-old girl remains in critical condition.
The sailboat, carrying a teenage camp counsellor and five children, was struck by a barge, causing it to sink. All six occupants were thrown into the water and rescued. The group was in the final week of a sailing camp for children aged seven to 15, run by the Miami Yacht Club.
Coast Guard Captain Frank Florio expressed condolences, stating: “Our hearts continue to mourn with all those affected by Monday’s tragic incident, especially with the passing of another one of Miami’s children today.” He added that the Coast Guard is committed to a thorough investigation.
According to Coast Guard statistics, there were more than 550 recreational boating deaths in the US last year, but only 43 involved collisions between vessels.
