NEW YORK: The operator of a boat that overturned near the Statue of Liberty, killing a woman and a five-month-old baby, has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, New York police said.
The 46-year-old Manhattan resident faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment following the incident in New York Harbour on Saturday night.
Two Victims Found After Rescue Operation
Police said a major search and rescue operation was launched after receiving a 911 call at about 22:25 local time reporting an overturned boat near Liberty Island.
Twelve people were initially rescued from the water and were reported to be in stable condition.
Police divers later found a 27-year-old woman and a five-month-old girl. Both were taken to a nearby hospital, where they later died.
The names of the victims and the precise cause of the incident have not been released.
Rescue Operation
A nearby tour operator, Sea the City, spotted the overturned boat and helped rescue 11 people from the water, according to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
The rescue operation involved two Coast Guard boats, four fire department boats, two police boats and a police helicopter.
“We are extremely grateful for the heroic, swift actions of our partner agencies and the Good Samaritan vessel that assisted in rescuing survivors from the water,” said Capt Doreen McCarthy of the US Coast Guard.
Investigation Underway
The investigation remains ongoing.
Coast Guard investigators are also examining whether the boat was being operated as an illegal charter.
An illegal charter refers to a passenger-for-hire vessel operating without the required credentials, safety equipment or certificate of inspection.
Officials have not yet released further details about what caused the boat to overturn.
