Vigil mass for student killed in Boca Chita Key boat crash
MIAMI - A day of prayer and remembrance as students from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart and Lourdes Academy go back to class after a deadly weekend boating accident.
"Today was a really tough day for all of us on campus," said Lourdes Academy President Sister Carmen Fernandez. She said all day at school and at a morning vigil friends and classmates remembered senior Lucy Fernandez who was killed.
"Lucy was known for her happy personality, and her beautiful smile. She would brighten up every room she walked into. She had a very positive outlook on life," Sister Carmen said.
Classmates Katy Puig and Coco Aguilar remain in the hospital. "They are hanging in there. We keep praying for their recovery every single day," Sister Carmen said.
The crash happened near Boca Chita key.
FWC reports the 29-foot boat was heading to Ocean Reef Sunday when it "struck a channel marker while traveling in the Intracoastal waterway."
Investigators went on to say "all 14 occupants, which included 12 juveniles and two adults, were ejected." FWC says George Pino was the boat operator.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Resuce, the boat operator said another boat came by creating a big wake. He said, "he turned to check and make sure all of the girls were okay and that's when he hit the channel marker."
In all 6 people were taken to the hospital.
CBS4 has learned the students on the boat were lifelong friends.
"All of the students that were on the boat in the accident were all very interconnected. They've been family friends, parents included, since they were little girls. This has hit home in a lot of different ways," said Sister Carmen.
FWC says this is an ongoing investigation. They tell us at this point alcohol does not appear to be a factor.