Oyster Bay (US): A yacht full of fireworks watchers capsized off New York`s Long Island on the American Independence Day holiday, killing three children and sending 24 others into the Long Island Sound, where many were rescued by fellow boaters, police said on Thursday.
The bodies of 12-year-old boy and two girls, 11 and 8, were recovered from the boat`s cabin after a long overnight search in the waters near Oyster Bay. The remaining people onboard were a mix of adults and children.
Police Det Lt John Azzata said it wasn`t clear what caused the accident, but it could have been the weather or overcrowding onboard. It`s also possible the yacht was swamped by another vessel because the area was crowded with boaters watching the fireworks.
He said alcohol was not believed to be a factor.
The 10-metre Silverton yacht was made in 1984 but was "a very recent purchase," he said.
Azzata said the boat should have had a life jacket for each person on board. But authorities could not determine if the boat had 27 life jackets because the vessel remained under water. Police said it capsized and then drifted a bit before it sank in about 18 metres of water.
PTI
