- A boat capsized in New York Harbor, resulting in the deaths of a mother and her 5-month-old baby.
- The victims were identified as Antonella Garcia, 5 months, and her mother Sara Sanchez, 27, of College Point, Queens.
- Divers recovered the victims from the water following the incident.
- The boat was carrying 14 people, exceeding its capacity of 10.
A tragic boating accident occurred in New York Harbor, claiming the lives of Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter Antonella Garcia. The incident unfolded late Saturday night when the boat capsized near Liberty Island, prompting a 911 call at approximately 10:25 p.m. EDT.12
The 2019 Yamaha AR210 runabout, captained by Manuel Hernandez, 46, was carrying 14 passengers—significantly exceeding its capacity of 10. Divers recovered Sanchez and Garcia from the water, but they were pronounced dead after being taken to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn in critical condition.3
Hernandez has been charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment as investigations continue into whether the operation constituted an illegal charter. The U.S. Coast Guard is collaborating with New York police to determine if the vessel lacked necessary safety equipment and credentials for passenger-for-hire operations.
The other 12 individuals aboard were rescued and are reported to be in stable condition, highlighting the potential dangers of overcrowded vessels in busy waterways.
This incident raises serious questions about boating safety regulations and the enforcement of laws governing passenger vessels in New York Harbor.
“The boat was carrying 14 people, exceeding its capacity of 10, when it capsized. Divers recovered the bodies of the mother and daughter, both from College Point, Queens.”
upi.com
