A devastating boat accident in the waters between Queens and Staten Island on Sunday has left four people dead, one hospitalized, and one still missing. According to officials, rescue operations were launched immediately, and five individuals were pulled from the water earlier in the afternoon.
Search Efforts Continue for Missing Person
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that search efforts were still ongoing Sunday night to locate the missing individual. Authorities were alerted just after noon when reports emerged about a vessel taking on water near Breezy Point.
Rescue Operation: 5 Pulled from Water Near Breezy Point
Emergency response teams, including rescue boats, a helicopter, and dive units from the FDNY and NYPD, were dispatched to the scene. According to officials:
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Five individuals were rescued from the boat.
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Four of them were unresponsive when retrieved from the water.
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Two victims were airlifted to Staten Island University Hospital.
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Three others were transported to Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, where emergency medical personnel were on standby.
Despite the swift response, four individuals were later pronounced dead. The fifth survivor is currently in stable condition, according to police reports.
Cold Water Temperatures a Major Risk Factor
Although the city experienced a slight rise in temperatures over the weekend, water temperatures remained dangerously low, hovering in the mid-30s (Fahrenheit) on Sunday.
Roy Scott, a marine surveyor and former U.S. Coast Guard inspector, emphasized the dangers of falling into frigid waters.
"If these people went into the water in these temperatures, they wouldn’t last more than 10 minutes before succumbing to hypothermia," Scott stated.
The Coast Guard and NYPD are currently investigating the cause of the boat’s sinking.
Victims Were on a Fishing Trip, Says Family
Family members of one of the victims, 50-year-old Cecilio Adames, revealed that the group had embarked on a fishing trip before the tragic incident.
Adames' wife, Francisca, recounted their last conversation:
"I called him at 10 in the morning and asked if everything was okay. He said, 'It’s very windy. The conditions are dangerous.' I told him, 'Thank God you didn’t bring our daughter this time.' He assured me she wasn’t there, saying they were far out, about 25 miles away. Then, he disappeared."
Adames’ daughter, Alisha, paid tribute to her father, describing him as their family's pillar of strength.
"He was a man everyone will remember because he always risked his life to help others," she said.
As search and investigation efforts continue, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of unpredictable waters and extreme weather conditions.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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