1 dead, several injured in Boca Chita Key boat crash
MIAMI - One person is dead and 3 people are suffering from critical injuries after a boat hit a channel marker near Boca Chita Key and capsized.
Eleven of the 14 people on the boat were injured in the crash that happened just before 7 p.m. Sunday, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
The Archdiocese of Miami tells CBS4 Lucy Fernandez, 17, a student at Our Lady of Lourdes, has died.
"Police arrived first and pulled people out of the water - some of them were critical. They were taken to Elliot Key Island where air rescue landed and transported critical patients," says Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Captain, Juan Garrandes.
The agency sent more than 10 units to the scene and worked alongside Miami-Dade Police marine patrol units, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
"Upon our arrival we joined in with the police department and we treated the rest of the people who were in the water around the boats. We brought them to the island, evaluated them and transported some of them to the hospital," says Garrandes
Officials said the other seven people on the boat suffered minor injuries. The critically injured were airlifted to hospitals in Miami. The Archdiocese of Miami releasing this statement:
"The boating accident that occurred yesterday involving students from Our Lady of Lourdes and others is a tragedy. At this moment, and the days to come, please keep each family affected in your prayers, and may all know of the presence of God, especially during this journey."
Boca Chica Key is within Biscayne National Park.
