Four family members hurt in boat explosion near Kings Point park, Nassau police say

Four family members were injured Friday afternoon after their boat exploded in the Long Island Sound in Kings Point, Nassau County police said. 

Police said a 42-year-old man started a 2006 22’ Four Winns boat at 4:13 p.m. off the coast of Steppingstone Park when it caught on fire and exploded a short time later. 

The man, his wife, 41, and their 5-year-old son were all ejected. Another son, 13, was nearby on a Jet Ski and rushed to help the injured family members, police said.

The man took his wife and son to shore on the Jet Ski. Employees from the Steppingstone Marina removed an 11-year-old daughter from the bow of the boat, police said.

The family was taken by ambulance to nearby hospitals. The 5-year-old boy sustained a leg and arm injury, the 11-year-old girl was treated for cuts and bruises, the mother burned her hand and injured her back and legs, and the man was treated for leg abrasions, police said.

The family and their hometown were not identified. 

The fire on the boat was extinguished by a New York City Fire Department boat, Kings Point police said.

Nassau County bomb and arson detectives are investigating the explosion.