Two dead, including infant, after boat capsizes in New York Harbor; 12 rescued

Two people, including an infant, died after a boat capsized near Liberty Island in New York Harbor on Saturday night, authorities said, and now the captain faces reckless endangerment charges.

The New York Police Department told Fox News Digital that officers responded to a report of an overturned vessel in the vicinity of Liberty Island at around 10:25 p.m. Twelve people were rescued from the water before police arrived, according to authorities.

A 27-year-old woman and five-month-old girl were later located in the water by NYPD divers. Both were transported to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn in critical condition, where they were later pronounced dead. Their identities have not been released.

The boat captain, 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez of New York City, was arrested and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment, the Coast Guard said. 

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“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,” said Captain Doreen McCarthy, Coast Guard Sector New York commander. “We are extremely grateful for the heroic, swift actions of our partner agencies and Good Samaritan vessel who assisted in rescuing survivors from the water. We are working closely with CGIS and the NYPD to investigate this incident. We are committed to holding illegal operators accountable to highest extent of the law to ensure the safety of everyone on our waterways.” 

Police said some of the other passengers were also transported to the hospital and are believed to be in stable condition.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the capsizing and whether the vessel was an illegal charter.

A police source told Fox News Digital that the vessel was a 22-foot bowrider.

The NYPD’s Harbor Unit, Scuba Team and Aviation Unit responded to the scene along with the U.S. Coast Guard.

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