Woman killed, man injured in second fatal boating incident in Biscayne Bay in less than a week
A South Florida woman was killed and a man was injured when they were thrown from their boat in Biscayne Bay on Saturday, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Authorities say the incident occurred around 10:40 a.m. near the Nixon Beach sandbar, west of West Point. The 27-foot boat, operated by 54-year-old Neil D. Schwabe of Coconut Grove, was carrying Schwabe and 33-year-old Claudia Balmaseda Orellanes of Coral Gables when both were somehow ejected into the water.
Captain Martin Luciani of TowBoatUS, who responded to the emergency, captured images of the twin-engine boat spinning as he approached. He said both victims were already in the water when help arrived.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews quickly launched a search and rescue operation. Balmaseda Orellanes was recovered from the water but was pronounced dead at the scene. Schwabe was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital with a serious leg injury.
Officials say all individuals were accounted for, and the incident remains under investigation as authorities try to determine how both ended up in the water.
Investigators say both victims were then struck by the boat's propellers as the unmanned vessel spun in circles.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue was able to recover both victims from the water.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Schwabe was air lifted to Ryder Trauma Center with a leg injury.
Balmaseda Orellanes was recovered dead from the water, the FWC said.
Neighbors described Balmaseda Orellanes as a kind presence in Coral Gables, often seen walking her dog in the neighborhood. Lourdes Echemendia, who lived across the street, said, "I'm very sorry to hear such terrible news."
The incident remains under investigation and no other information was released.
This tragedy marks the second fatal boating accident in Biscayne Bay in less than a week.
On March 25, the FWC said 55-year-old Davide Veglia, of North Miami, was killed and his 14-year-old son was seriously injured when their 7-foot inflatable dinghy was struck near Indian Creek and Biscayne Pointe by a vessel that then fled the scene.
Witnesses from the earlier incident described a desperate scene, with the injured son treading water and screaming for help while supporting his father until rescue crews arrived.
"We heard help, help, help, and when he started screaming for help, that is when we knew it was a serious situation," Enzo Avelino said.
Both victims were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
That vessel fled the scene, and investigators had been searching for it.
The vessel sought by FWC officers in connection with the fatal boating incident in Biscayne Bay on March 25 has been located. FWC thanked the media and the public for their assistance. The investigation remains active.
Authorities urge anyone with information about either incident to contact law enforcement as investigations continue.