6 thrown into Jones Beach inlet after boats collide, officials say

Three adults and three children were thrown into the Jones Beach inlet Wednesday night when another vessel struck their 14-foot boat off Point Lookout, authorities said.

The operator of a 21-foot boat blamed sun glare after striking the vessel carrying the six occupants at about 5:45 p.m. in the inlet’s Sloop Channel Nassau police said. The smaller boat, which had children ages 1, 3 and 10, then started sinking, police said.

The two people on the larger boat and a good Samaritan on another vessel pulled the six victims out of the water before the Coast Guard, Nassau marine police and Merrick firefighters arrived, authorities said. All six in the water were wearing life jackets, police said.

Police took the victims to the Coast Guard station on Jones Beach. There was no apparent criminality, police said.

The smaller boat could not be recovered, police said.

Authorities inspected the 21-foot boat and gave its operator a summons for not having a fire extinguisher.