MIAMI — The Miami Yacht Club released a video Wednesday following last month’s fatal collision that killed three children at its youth sailing camp, expressing gratitude for community support while grieving the tragedy.
David Neblett, a maritime attorney and club member for nearly 25 years, that the organization has received “an outpouring of support and encouragement from all corners of our community” since the July 28 fatal crash in Biscayne Bay.
“On behalf of the members, staff, volunteers, and families who are part of the Club, we want to express our profound gratitude for this support as we grapple with grief and work to comfort those who are also grieving and living through this unimaginable loss,” Neblett said.
Three girls — Mila Yankelevich, 7, Erin Ko Han, 13, and Arielle Buchman, 10 — died when a barge struck their sailboat near Miami Beach’s Hibiscus Island.
A 19-year-old camp counselor and two children, one of whom was identified as Calena Areyan Gruber, 7, survived.
Neblett said the yacht club will continue serving as “a place where parents and children touched by this tragedy can journey together toward healing.”
He said the club “remains committed to providing support for those impacted, including access to essential services such as mental health and grief counseling,” he added.
The organization is also cooperating with federal authorities investigating the incident.
“We are also thankful to the U.S. Coast Guard for their diligence in investigating this matter,” Neblett added. “The Club and the Youth Sailing Foundation will continue to cooperate fully with their investigation while we await their final report.”
A lawsuit was filed last week on behalf of one of the surviving children, alleging negligence in the incident.
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