Woman killed, 3 hurt when boat slams into pier near Logan Airport runway in East Boston

A 24-year-old woman was killed and three other people were hurt late Wednesday night when a boat crashed into a pier just off a runway at Logan Airport in East Boston. 

It happened around 11:20 p.m. in the water off of runway 4R, not far from Castle Island.

Massachusetts State Police said four people were on a recreational boat when it crashed into the pier and all of the passengers were thrown onto the rocks that wrap the shoreline. According to the Suffolk District Attorney's office, there were three women and one man on the boat.  

The DA said originally there was a 911 call from the boat saying another vessel had crashed into them, but it was determined that was not the case.

Boston EMS said that four people were "carefully extricated" from the rocks. 

Rescuers said the conditions were challenging because it was so dark and the rocks along the shoreline were slippery.

State police said that all four were taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The 24-year-old woman, who has been identified as Elizabeth Dankert of Andover, was later pronounced dead.

Two 23-year-old women who were friends with Dankert are being treated for injuries that are not considered life threatening, the DA said.

The DA's office said the boat is owned by a 40-year-old man. They said Dankert and her two female friends were picked up in the Seaport District earlier in the night.

Police have not said who was operating the boat.

It is not clear what caused the crash, or if anyone could face charges.

"I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Elizabeth Dankert and I assure them that all aspects of this tragedy are under investigation. I want to thank EMS personnel and other first responders for their exceptional treatment and recovery work under extremely difficult conditions," District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. 

No other information is available at this point in the investigation.