Woman and Infant Killed After Boat Capsizes Near Statue Of Liberty
11 hours ago
A 27-year-old Queens woman and her 5-month-old daughter were killed after a 22-foot speedboat carrying 14 people capsized near the Statue of Liberty Saturday night. Twelve other people were rescued from the water and suffered mostly minor injuries.
Authorities say the boat overturned near Liberty Island shortly before 10:30 p.m., prompting a large response from the NYPD, FDNY and U.S. Coast Guard. Police divers recovered the mother and infant, who were taken to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, where they were pronounced dead.
The boat's operator, 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez, was initially charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment. Federal prosecutors have since taken over the case, and Hernandez was transferred into federal custody as authorities investigate whether the vessel was being operated as an illegal charter and whether it met federal safety requirements.
Authorities say the boat overturned near Liberty Island shortly before 10:30 p.m., prompting a large response from the NYPD, FDNY and U.S. Coast Guard. Police divers recovered the mother and infant, who were taken to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, where they were pronounced dead.
The boat's operator, 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez, was initially charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment. Federal prosecutors have since taken over the case, and Hernandez was transferred into federal custody as authorities investigate whether the vessel was being operated as an illegal charter and whether it met federal safety requirements.
