Operator charged after boat capsizes off Liberty Island, killing woman, infant; 12 rescued
The operator of the boat has been charged with multiple counts of reckless endangerment. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
A Manhattan man has been charged with reckless endangerment after the boat he was operating capsized off Liberty Island late Saturday, killing a woman and a 5-month-old baby, authorities said.
The 27-year-old woman and the baby, whom the NYPD has not yet identified, were pulled from the waters of New York Harbor in critical condition and pronounced dead at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn.
Police charged the boat's operator, 46-year-old Manual Hernandez, with 13 counts of reckless endangerment. He was booked at the NYPD's 72nd Precinct in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, just before 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Twelve other people on the boat were pulled from the water with minor injuries and transported to hospitals, officials said. The NYPD's harbor unit, scuba team and aviation unit responded to a 911 call about an overturned boat at around 10:30 p.m.
It was not immediately clear what caused the boat to capsize. Police also have not yet confirmed any relationship between the woman and the baby.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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