Two dead after barge smashes into sailboat of kids and their summer camp instructor

A barge has ploughed into a sailboatcarrying children from a youth sailing program in Florida, killing two people and leaving another unresponsive.

The horrific crash unfolded just after 11am this morning in Biscayne Bay, off Miami Beach, when a sailboat carrying five childrenand one adult was struck and capsized, triggering what officials called an “active water emergency.” All six on board - children aged eight to 12, and a woman believed to be their camp counsellor - were thrown into the water. Divers from multiple rescue agencies raced to the scene, pulling victims from the bay and rushing them to hospital.

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Two later died at Jackson Memorial Hospital. One more person was left “unresponsive,” according to the US Coast Guard. Three of the children were initially said to be in critical condition. The adult and another child were reportedly in stable condition, while a sixth child was evaluated at the scene.

The group had been participating in a program run by the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation, based at the Miami Yacht Club.

“At this time, details are still emerging, and we are actively gathering all available facts,” the yacht club said in a statement. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved, and we are working closely with the appropriate authorities and organizations to understand the situation fully.”

Footage from Local 10’s helicopter showed medics performing chest compressions on at least one person as divers at the scene combed the water.

A nine-year-old boy, Enzo, who was taking part in the camp, witnessed the impact from the shore. “Everyone else was in the water, but the second it happened, they called everyone to go back to the shore,” he told Local 10. He said the crash took place during the first week of camp.

Marine crews from Miami Beach Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami Fire Rescue, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, and the Miami Beach Police Department all responded. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the US Coast Guard are now leading the investigation.