In brief
A small boat that overturned close to New York Harbour claimed the lives of a woman and a five‑month‑old baby. The operator was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment while investigators probe whether the vessel was illegally chartered. A wide‑scale rescue involving Coast Guard and fire boats recovered twelve survivors from the water. Authorities affirm the investigation is ongoing, and commend the swift, heroic acts of the rescue crews.
The operator of a boat that overturned and capsized 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.
Officials said a large search and rescue operation was launched after the incident near the New York Harbour on Saturday night.
Twelve people were rescued from the water.
Coast Guard investigators are also determining whether the boat was illegally chartered.
The names of passengers and the specific cause of the incident have not been released.
The rescue involved two Coast Guard boats, four fire department boats, two police boats and a police helicopter, the US Coast Guard said.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, officials said.
"We are extremely grateful for the heroic, swift actions of our partner agencies and Good Samaritan vessel that assisted in rescuing survivors from the water," said Capt Doreen McCarthy of the Coast Guard.
