MIAMI (WSVN) - The second child killed in a tragic sailboat crash in Biscayne Bay has been identified as a Chilean national who had recently moved to the United States, officials said.
Erin Ko, formerly a student at San Pedro Nolasco School in Vitacura, Santiago, had relocated to the U.S. in 2024, according to a social media post from the school.
In the same social media post, the school said Ko “will be remembered for being a well-rounded, approachable, empathetic student and a good companion. She excelled academically, especially in mathematics, and actively participated in school life as a member of the volleyball team and the trapeze and fabric workshop.”
The 13-year-old died alongside 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich of Argentina, whom family and Argentine media previously identified. Yankelevich was the youngest daughter of a family well-known in Argentina’s entertainment industry.
Both girls were participating in a youth sailing lesson through the Miami Yacht Club when their sailboat collided with a barge near Hibiscus Island on Monday afternoon.
The deadly crash has shocked the international sailing and South Florida communities and prompted a full investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to investigators, the girls were among five children aboard the sailboat along with a 19-year-old camp counselor when the crash occurred.
Two children, ages 7 and 11, were hospitalized in critical condition. The counselor and one other 12-year-old child were not injured.
As of Wednesday night, the 7-year-old identified as Calena Gruber has been released from the hospital, according to a social media post from her grandfather. Her family said she needed some stitches and has scratches on her leg, but is overall OK.
The 11-year-old girl, who The Shul, a synagogue in Bal Harbour, identified as Arielle, remains at the hospital in critical condition.
The Coast Guard said on Tuesday that the young students were wearing life jackets when the incident occurred.
“Through some of our investigative work and some of the interviews we conducted, we do believe all of the girls were wearing life jackets,” said USCG Capt. Frank Florio.
Officials said the sailboat was part of the Miami Yacht Club’s youth sailing program, which has since been suspended as authorities investigate the incident. The club has expressed its condolences and is cooperating with the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard is examining both vessels involved and has begun recovering the sailboat, now being stored at the USCG base in Miami Beach.
“We owe you answers, and we are committed to finding them,” said Florio.
Officials said they are exploring all possibilities as to what happened, including interviewing the barge’s captain.
“We did do alcohol testing, and we have conducted the chemical testing as well. We’re pending those results right now,” said Florio.
Maritime attorney Brandon Volk said the situation is complex. However, it’s likely the sailboat had the right of way.
“A powered driven vessel must yield the right of way to a sailboat, naturally, because a sailboat doesn’t really have any means of propulsion,” he said.
Questions remain, however, as to why one counselor was responsible for five children.
“If you have one woman who’s watching five minors, trying to teach them the ropes of sailing, she not only has to watch the kids, she also has to be in control of that vessel. How can one woman do all of that?” said Volk.
Officials said the investigation could take several months to determine fault and identify any regulatory failures.
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