A mother and her baby daughter have died after their boat capsized in New York Harbor. The incident occurred on Saturday evening near Liberty Island, home to the Statue of Liberty.
The 22-foot Bayliner speedboat encountered difficulties at approximately 10.25pm, throwing more than a dozen people into the water. Emergency services pulled 12 people from the water before police arrived, and divers later recovered the 27-year-old woman and her five-month-old girl.
Arrest and charges
Both were pronounced dead at a hospital, while the Coast Guard confirmed the other survivors were stable. Authorities have arrested 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez of New York, charging him with 13 counts of reckless endangerment. The victims' identities have not been disclosed.
Captain Doreen McCarthy, Coast Guard Sector New York commander, said: "We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life last night, and our thoughts are with the victims' family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."
Investigation ongoing
McCarthy added: "We are extremely grateful for the heroic, swift actions of our partner agencies and Good Samaritan vessels who assisted in rescuing survivors from the water." Coast Guard investigators are collaborating with police on the inquiry.
The Coast Guard defines an illegal charter as any passenger-for-hire vessel operation that lacks Coast Guard credentials, safety equipment, and inspection certificates.
