A seven-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl have tragically died after being thrown from a boat that reportedly struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker off Berkeley Township, New Jersey, during a trip with their grandparents.
Two young children have died tragically following a collision between their boat and a channel marker.
The nine year old girl and seven year old boy were flung from a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 on Saturday night into waters off Berkeley Township, New Jersey. State Police confirmed the vessel struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker, causing both children to be thrown overboard.
Boat operator Stephen Schneider, 63, and fellow passenger Laurie Schneider, 64, found the children unconscious in the water, according to reports. The pair are believed to be the youngsters’ grandparents, as per ABC7.
Jersey Shore Online sources revealed the group had visited MJ’s Restaurant Bar and Grill prior to embarking on the boat.
After the incident, the children were taken to hospital where Garden State officials confirmed they were declared dead, reports the Daily Star.
The New Jersey State Police released a statement saying: “On July 19, at approximately 9:09 pm, troopers responded to the report of a serious vessel crash in the Berkeley Township Bay Area.
“Based on a preliminary investigation, a Tidewater Custom 280 30-foot vessel, while travelling through the Intercoastal Waterway, struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker, causing a 9 year old juvenile female and a 7 year old juvenile male to be ejected into the water.
“The operator, Stephen Schneider, a 63 year old male from Bayville, NJ, and occupant Laurie Schneider, a 64 year old female from Bayville, found the juveniles unresponsive in the water.
“The youngsters were taken to a local hospital, where they were declared dead. This boat accident is still under investigation, and no further information is available.”
Meanwhile, flights have been grounded at a major airport following a devastating blaze in the vicinity, which has tragically claimed the lives of two firefighters.
Local reports indicate the inferno ignited on Avenue Roland Garros, near Bordeaux Airport’s long-term P4 car park, rapidly engulfing approximately one hectare since erupting at around 2.30pm local time.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the deaths of two firefighters battling the blaze. Departures from Bordeaux Airport were temporarily halted, with numerous surrounding roads cordoned off to allow emergency services to respond to the crisis.
Fire crews continued their efforts to extinguish the flames as dense black smoke billowed into the sky, though the situation is now believed to be under control. Normal flight operations have since resumed at the airport.
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