2 Dead, Including 7-Year-Old Boy, in Hudson River Boating Accident: 'Tragic Day for New Yorkers'

Phil Boucher
·3 min read
2 Dead, Including 7-Year-Old Boy, in Hudson River Boating Accident: 'Tragic Day for New Yorkers'

Two people, including a 7-year-old boy, are confirmed to have died after their pleasure boat capsized on the Hudson River in Lower Manhattan on Tuesday.

Eleven other members of the same family from Colombia were also injured in the tragic incident on Manhattan's West Side, ABC News reported Wednesday.

Julian Vasquez, 7, and Lindelia Vasquez, 47, were identified as those killed. Authorities said that the boy and woman died after getting trapped underneath the jet boat Stimulus Money after it capsized. The Vasquezes had boarded the boat with their relatives in Elizabeth, New Jersey on Tuesday afternoon, the outlet added.

RELATED: 10 Dramatic Photos from 2009's Miracle on the Hudson Plane Landing

Twelve people were rescued and two were in critical condition after a boat capsized in the Hudson River off New York City
Twelve people were rescued and two were in critical condition after a boat capsized in the Hudson River off New York City

CBS News/Youtube Hudson River boating tragedy

"This has been a tragic day for New Yorkers," New York City Police Department Commissioner Keechant Sewell told reporters after the tragedy. She added that a 911 call was received at 2:46 p.m. Tuesday "for an upturned vessel by The Battery in lower Manhattan."

"Two victims were rescued by Harbour (Patrol)," added Sewell. "They were drifting near the boat. The NYPD SCUBA immediately deployed divers into the water. A female was brought to the surface and aboard the Harbour boat, she was unresponsive.

"Without delay, FDNY marine divers also entered the water and pulled out a second aided – a male, 7 years old, who was also unresponsive. Unfortunately, at this time both of those individuals have been pronounced deceased."

hudson-river
hudson-river

Getty Images Hudson River

According to NBC News, the jet boat was on a recreational outing along the Hudson. It was also being followed by someone on a jet ski, the outlet added, citing police sources.

Ten other people aboard the boat were pulled from the water, and were pulled from the river by the NY Waterway ferry crew members, per the outlet.

Inspector Anthony Russo of the Harbor Unit said that the tragic incident resulted from a number of factors, including a wave caused by a passing ferry, The New York Times reported.

"We had the current, the wind, so you could have wakes approaching from different directions, waves from different directions," he told the Times. "It takes some skill to operate in the Hudson River, so it could've been a contributing factor."

RELATED: Top Chef's Justin Sutherland Injured in a Boating Accident on July 4th Weekend

Twelve people were rescued and two were in critical condition after a boat capsized in the Hudson River off New York City
Twelve people were rescued and two were in critical condition after a boat capsized in the Hudson River off New York City

CBS News/Youtube Hudson River boating tragedy

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

New York Mayor Eric Adams stressed that the dangers of Hudson River should be taken seriously during the summer months.

"It's a clear reminder to us as we move through the summer months, water is an enjoyable part of New York but it can be a dangerous place," Adams said, according to the Times.