A boating accident in New York sent seven people into the frigid waters off of Long Island earlier this month. If not for the swift response of rescue crews, this terrifying boating accident would have ended in tragedy. Thankfully, all of the victims survived-though one was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The seven victims were enjoying a day on the water off Long Island’s Sands Point when the watercraft overturned. All seven individuals were tossed into the ocean. Six of the victims were able to resurface and clung to the capsized boat but one woman was trapped underneath the boat and tangled in fishing gear. She only survived because there was a pocket of air trapped on the underside.
First responders arrived within minutes of the boating accident in Long Island-which happened around 5:30 in the afternoon-and were quickly able to rescue six of the victims. However, they could not reach the woman who was trapped inside the overturned boat. Rescue divers were flown in via helicopter and entered the overturned craft in order to extricate the woman.
A spokesperson from the NYPD Scuba Team said the rescue was made even more difficult because the woman was inside the cabin of the boat and surrounded by floating debris. She was pulled free but suffered severe hypothermia. She was airlifted to North Shore University Hospital.
The summer season is a dangerous one for boating accidents in New York. With thousands of watercraft ranging in size from small personal craft up through bow riders and cabin cruisers to shipping vessels and cruise ships sharing the same crowded stretch of rivers and ocean, it’s inevitable that accidents will happen.
If a person’s negligence, recklessness, or poor decisions contribute to those accidents, the victims could potentially hold that responsible individual liable for their injuries, medical expenses and lost wages.
If you’ve been injured on the waters in NYC, contact an experienced boating accident attorney in New York City immediately. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation today.