A tragic boating accident near one of America’s most famous landmarks left a young mother and her infant daughter dead on Saturday night. Authorities say the vessel capsized in the waters surrounding Liberty Island, resulting in the deaths of 27 year old Sara Sanchez, a resident of Queens, and her five month old daughter, Antonella Garcia. Both victims were rushed to NYU Langone Health Brooklyn in critical condition but were tragically pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.

The boat’s captain, 46 year old Manuel Hernandez, was arrested following the incident and now faces charges of reckless endangerment. While official details regarding the specific cause of the capsize remain scarce, the U.S. Coast Guard indicated that they are working closely with New York police to investigate whether the trip was part of an illegal charter operation. The vessel involved has been towed back to shore and remains in police custody as investigators sift through the wreckage for clues.

The disaster was narrowly avoided for eleven other passengers who were on board during the flip. According to the FDNY, these individuals were successfully rescued from the harbor and transported to local hospitals where they were treated for minor injuries. It remains unclear how many people total were on the craft or why it overturned so close to the Statue of Liberty.

As investigations continue into Mr. Hernandez’s actions and his legal standing to operate the vessel, court records have not yet been made public and it is unknown if he has secured legal representation. For now, a community mourns a devastating loss beneath the shadow of a monument meant to symbolize freedom and hope.