Photo: Chris_Fisher / iStock / Getty Images
A woman is dead and a man is recovering in a hospital after a 27-foot boat they were riding in spun out of control on Miami's Biscayne Bay, threw them overboard, and struck them in the water Saturday (March 28).
Claudia Balmaseda Orellanes, 33, of Coral Gables, Florida, died from her injuries. Neil D. Schwabe, 54, of Coconut Grove, Florida, was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the incident happened around 10:40 a.m. just north of the popular Nixon Beach Sandbar.
Schwabe was operating the vessel when the two lost control and were both thrown into the water. The unmanned boat continued circling without an operator before striking them. Video of the incident shows the vessel spinning for several seconds before a police boat arrived to stop it.
Schwabe was quickly located and airlifted to a hospital. However, first responders could not immediately find Balmaseda Orellanes, prompting a search and rescue effort. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Gregory Logue told NBC Miami that crews worked alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the FWC during the operation, deploying divers as part of the search. Balmaseda Orellanes was eventually found and pulled from the water, but she did not survive.
The FWC extended its condolences to the victims' families. "The FWC extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time," a spokesperson said.
Logue urged all boaters to take safety precautions. "Ensure all passengers wear a personal flotation device," he said. "File a float plan, so someone knows your itinerary, and have your VHF radio on channel 16 for emergencies."