A third child has died after a barge collided with a youth club's sailing boat in Biscayne Bay off Miami Beach on July 28, officials said.
The U.S. Coast Guard said Aug. 3 that a 10-year-old child in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital died "while surrounded by her immediate family."
“Our hearts continue to mourn with all those impacted by Monday’s tragic incident, especially with the passing of another one of Miami’s children today,” said Capt. Frank Florio, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Miami in a release.
“The Coast Guard remains committed to conducting a thorough investigation to ensure all facts are uncovered. We routinely seek the expertise of our federal, state, and local partner law enforcement agencies, and this case is no different. Our investigative team will be joined by investigators from Argentina, the home nation of one of the victims.”
Here's what to know.
What happened when a barge hit a sailboat in Miami Beach?
According to reports from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, and reporting from The Miami Herald, at around 11:15 a.m. on Monday, July 28. a 60-foot barge pushed by a tugboat operator struck a 17-foot Hobie Getaway sailing vessel carrying a 19-year-old female camp counselor and five girls near Hibiscus Islands in Miami Beach.
All six people were thrown into the water, where they were recovered.
Two of the girls, a 7-year-old and a 13-year-old, were declared dead on arrival at the hospital, the Coast Guard said. A 10-year-old girl died in the hospital Sunday.
One 7-year-old girl was released from Jackson Memorial Hospital after being taken there in critical condition, her family said. The camp counselor and a 12-year-old girl were treated at the scene.
On July 31, the Coast Guard said in a release that it conducted alcohol and drug testing for operators on the tug and the barge as well as the sailboat as part of standard procedures. All results were negative.
Local boating community 'shattered by grief'
The Miami Yacht Club verified that the counselor and children were members of the club's Youth Sailing Foundation, which encourages children and adults to experience the joy of recreational and/or competitive sailing and learn the "essential elements of performance boat handling, seamanship and racing."
"This devastating news comes after two young sailors lost their lives in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Now, with the passing of a third sailor, the entire sailing community is shattered by grief," the Miami Yacht Club said in a social media post.
"Our hearts are broken for these families. There are no words that can ease this pain, but we stand in full solidarity with the families, counselors, and every member of the YSF during this unthinkable nightmare."
Where did the barge hit the sailboat in Florida?
Hibiscus Island is an exclusive, luxury neighborhood in the city of Miami Beach on a man-made island in Biscayne Bay.
The collission was in the vicinity of Hibiscus Island, the Coast Guard said. The FWC initially reported it as being near Star Island, which is nearby. The Miami Herald reported it was between Hibiscus and Monument islands.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami boat accident results in 3rd girl's death
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