A 46-year-old boat operator has been arrested and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment after a boat overturned near New York’s Statue of Liberty, killing a woman and a five-month-old baby.
The incident happened on Saturday night near Liberty Island in New York Harbour. Police received a 911 call at about 10:25 p.m. reporting that a boat had overturned. Rescue operation A major search-and-rescue operation was launched involving: Two US Coast Guard boats Four fire department boats Two police boats A police helicopter A nearby tour operator that helped rescue passengers Twelve people were initially pulled from the water and were reported to be in stable condition.
Police divers later recovered a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old girl. Both were taken to hospital but later died. The victims were identified by their relatives and the New York restaurant Il Punto Ristorante as Sara Sanchez and her baby, Antonella Garcia. The restaurant said Sanchez was the wife of one of its employees, Andres Garcia, who was also on the boat.
Investigation continues The boat operator, identified by US media as Manuel Hernandez, is facing 13 counts of reckless endangerment. Authorities have not yet released the specific cause of the boat’s capsizing. US Coast Guard investigators are also examining whether the vessel was being operated as an illegal charter.
Such an operation involves carrying passengers for payment without the required credentials, safety equipment or inspection certification. The investigation remains ongoing.
