Key takeaways:

• At least three people have died and one person is still reported missing after a boat capsized near Staten Island.
• The incident occurred in the Ambrose Channel, prompting a multi-agency search and rescue response.
• Rescue efforts involved the U.S. Coast Guard, New York City Police, and local fire departments.

At least three individuals lost their lives and one remains missing following the tragic capsizing of a boat in the frigid waters of the Ambrose Channel near Staten Island, New York, on Sunday afternoon. According to the New York Times, a call was received shortly after noon about a vessel taking on water. Responding agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, local fire, and police departments, quickly mobilized to the scene.

Initial reports indicate that five people were rescued from the sinking vessel; of these, four were discovered unresponsive. Tragically, three individuals were pronounced dead upon reaching hospitals, while another was reported in critical condition and a second in stable condition. The operation involved multiple Coast Guard units, including three rescue boats and a helicopter for aerial assistance, as mentioned by ABC News.

The search for the missing person continues, with authorities focusing their efforts approximately five miles off the coast of Breezy Point. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the incident as details about the type of boat involved emerge. Reports suggest it was a Grady-White model, commonly used for coastal cruising and fishing, as cited by Newsweek.

The Ambrose Channel, crucial for shipping traffic in and out of the Port of New York and New Jersey, is not only a busy route but also a site that requires vigilance due to changing weather conditions. The Coast Guard has alerted that cold water temperatures can present severe risks of hypothermia for individuals who fall overboard, a concern emphasized by the USA Today report on Sunday’s events.

As investigations unfold and their implications are assessed, our thoughts are with the families affected by this heartbreaking loss.