A collision between two boats that occurred early Sunday morning in Miami Beach left one fatality after two men fell into the water, authorities said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating the cause of what authorities described as an accidental collision between a vessel approximately 30 feet long and the Fish Island Ferry, a ferry, which takes residents to and from the island.
Authorities said ferry personnel were able to pull a man from the water following an incident that occurred just east of the Pilot House Station on Dodge Island before 3:40 a.m., a spokesman for the Dodge Fire and Rescue units said. the city of Miami.
“When we arrived on scene, we found a patient that the Coast Guard had recovered from the water,” Lt. Pete Sanchez said. “He was transported to the Ryder Trauma Center in stable condition. On the way to the hospital, the patient began asking about his friend. Then, at that point, we were notified that there was actually a second occupant on the boat.”
According to a statement, the Miami dive team was immediately dispatched to conduct a search and rescue operation. Multiple agencies could be seen in the area, searching both by helicopter in the air and by boats and divers in the water.
“We found the other victim underwater after a five-minute search,” Lt. Sanchez said. “Unfortunately, that victim died at the scene and the FWC will now take over the investigation.”
Members of the FWC and the US Coast Guard were on the scene for several hours on Sunday morning, diverting tour groups due to depart from a blocked off area of the Miami Beach marina.
Following the accident, the Coast Guard sent out an alert stating that a temporary safety zone was being established, limiting the flow of maritime traffic, including cruise ships. The sunken vessel was removed around 2:30 p.m., and Port Miami was later reopened.
