Two killed in vessel collision near Miami Beach, Florida

Two people were killed after a sailboat and a barge collided off the Hibiscus Island neighbourhood of the city of Miami Beach in Florida on Monday, July 28.

US Coast Guard watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received notification from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue of a vessel collision between a sailboat and barge around 11:00 local time on Monday, reporting that six people entered the water near Hibiscus Island.

Miami Beach Fire Rescue crews were first on scene, then later joined by Miami-Dade Fire rescue, City of Miami Fire Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Coast Guard Station Miami Beach.

All six people who went into the water were recovered. Two of the six people were declared deceased upon arrival to Jackson Memorial Hospital.

The deceased include a seven-year-old female and a 13-year-old female.

A US Coast Guard small boat crew arrived on scene to provide a safety zone. As of Monday, the sailing vessel remains submerged under the barge and Sector Miami is maintaining a 250-yard (230-metre) safety zone.