Sailboat Carrying Kids Hit by Barge, Killing Two

Sailing Boat Accident: Two Dead After Barge Hits Kids’ Sailboat Near Miami Beach

Miami Beach, FL – July 28 – A deadly crash out on the water Monday morning. A barge slammed into a small sailboat near Hibiscus Island, not far off Miami Beach. Six people were on board — five kids and a woman. Two of them didn’t make it.

Happened a little after 11 a.m. The sailboat was part of a youth sailing group, one of those summer programs. Somehow it got in the path of the barge, and the impact threw everyone into the water.

Rescue teams got there quick — boats, divers, even helicopters in the air. Everyone was pulled from the bay. The kids were said to be between 8 and 12. The woman with them was a counselor.

Three of the children were taken to Ryder Trauma, in really bad shape. One more was stable. Another child was looked at on scene and didn’t need to go to the hospital. The counselor seemed okay and stayed behind.

Even with everyone jumping in to help — one of the worst outcomes. Two lives lost. Officials haven’t shared who they were yet.

Early calls came in saying the boat had flipped and people were missing. Within minutes, rescue boats were surrounding the area. Some local news even had footage showing crews all around the barge.

Fire rescue later said it was quick work by everyone that got all six out of the water. “Because of the swift response from local agencies, all persons were located and removed,” the department said.

The Miami Yacht Club, which is tied to the sailing program, also put out a short note saying they’re working with investigators.

Still a lot we don’t know. The investigation’s ongoing.