A peaceful day of sailing turned heartbreaking in Miami when a group of young campers collided with a massive construction barge.
What started as a routine summer camp outing has now become the center of a deeply emotional and ongoing investigation, as a third young girl has been confirmed dead following the accident.
10-Year-Old Arielle Bucham Becomes the Third Fatality
Arielle Mazi Bucham, just 10 years old, has been identified as the latest child to tragically lose her life from the incident.
She passed away in the hospital days after the crash due to injuries she sustained.
Her family, devastated, shared news of her death through their place of worship, announcing that her funeral service would be held on Sunday afternoon.
Arielle had been in critical condition following the accident, clinging to life for days before her passing.
She was one of five children onboard the ill-fated sailboat.
The Collision That Changed Everything
The deadly crash occurred around 11 a.m. on a Monday in Biscayne Bay.
The group—part of a summer camp organized by the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation—was sailing when their boat struck a 60-foot barge.
The barge was reportedly involved in construction work off Miami Beach at the time.
The collision claimed the lives of Erin Co, 13, and Mila Yankelevich, 7, almost immediately.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ruled their deaths as accidental drownings. Arielle became the third fatality days later.
Two more children were taken to the hospital—one of whom, just eight years old, remains in uncertain condition.
No Substances Involved, Says Coast Guard
Following standard procedure, both the tug and barge operators, as well as the sailboat’s 19-year-old instructor, underwent toxicology tests.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on Friday that all results were negative for drugs and alcohol.
The Coast Guard also noted that all of the girls were reportedly wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
Families Share Their Pain and Grief
For the families of these girls, the pain is overwhelming.
Erin Co’s father, Pil Jye Ko, shared a gut-wrenching account of dropping his daughter off on what would be her first and last day of sailing camp.
“She said, ‘See you later, mom and dad!’” he recalled, fighting tears.
“We hoped it was just a nightmare. That the hospital would call and say, ‘Your daughter is alive.’ But no. That didn’t happen.”
Erin had just moved from Chile and was already fluent in English, Spanish, and Korean.
She was even learning Japanese.
Her parents described her as “the perfect daughter.”
Mila Yankelevich was from a prominent Argentine family—her grandmother, Cris Morena, and grandfather Gustavo Yankelevich, are both renowned media figures.
In a heartbreaking birthday tribute earlier this year, Morena called her granddaughter “my happy and free little fairy.”
Survivors and Eyewitnesses Recall the Horror
Two children survived the crash—a 12-year-old camper and the 19-year-old instructor.
The younger children were reportedly thrown from the boat by the force of the impact.
One child who witnessed the event, nine-year-old Enzo Pifer Eddy, told reporters, “All the kids went flying.”
Another witness described how a crane on the barge completely crushed the boat, adding that they heard a child screaming beneath the wreckage.
What Happens Next in the Investigation
Investigators are now focused on determining who had the right of way and whether the tugboat pushing the barge was “restricted in its ability to maneuver”—a key detail in maritime navigation law.
Although sailboats generally have right of way over motor-powered vessels, exceptions exist for barges involved in limited-movement operations.
Miami Yacht Club member Katie Flood-Reiss defended the sailing instructor, stating that with almost no wind that day, it would have been nearly impossible for the instructor to steer the boat out of the barge’s path in time.
Sailing Program Paused While Answers Are Sought
The youth sailing program has been suspended while the Coast Guard and other authorities work to piece together what led to this tragedy.
Officials say the investigation could take several months before conclusions are reached.
Meanwhile, families and community members are mourning three young lives taken far too soon, asking how something so tragic could happen on what was meant to be a joyful summer day.
A peaceful day of sailing turned heartbreaking in Miami when a group of young campers collided with a massive construction barge.
What started as a routine summer camp outing has now become the center of a deeply emotional and ongoing investigation, as a third young girl has been confirmed dead following the accident.
10-Year-Old Arielle Bucham Becomes the Third Fatality
Arielle Mazi Bucham, just 10 years old, has been identified as the latest child to tragically lose her life from the incident.
She passed away in the hospital days after the crash due to injuries she sustained.
Her family, devastated, shared news of her death through their place of worship, announcing that her funeral service would be held on Sunday afternoon.
Arielle had been in critical condition following the accident, clinging to life for days before her passing.
She was one of five children onboard the ill-fated sailboat.
The Collision That Changed Everything
The deadly crash occurred around 11 a.m. on a Monday in Biscayne Bay.
The group—part of a summer camp organized by the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation—was sailing when their boat struck a 60-foot barge.
The barge was reportedly involved in construction work off Miami Beach at the time.
The collision claimed the lives of Erin Co, 13, and Mila Yankelevich, 7, almost immediately.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ruled their deaths as accidental drownings. Arielle became the third fatality days later.
Two more children were taken to the hospital—one of whom, just eight years old, remains in uncertain condition.
No Substances Involved, Says Coast Guard
Following standard procedure, both the tug and barge operators, as well as the sailboat’s 19-year-old instructor, underwent toxicology tests.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed on Friday that all results were negative for drugs and alcohol.
The Coast Guard also noted that all of the girls were reportedly wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.
Families Share Their Pain and Grief
For the families of these girls, the pain is overwhelming.
Erin Co’s father, Pil Jye Ko, shared a gut-wrenching account of dropping his daughter off on what would be her first and last day of sailing camp.
“She said, ‘See you later, mom and dad!’” he recalled, fighting tears. “We hoped it was just a nightmare. That the hospital would call and say, ‘Your daughter is alive.’ But no. That didn’t happen.”
Erin had just moved from Chile and was already fluent in English, Spanish, and Korean.
She was even learning Japanese. Her parents described her as “the perfect daughter.”
Mila Yankelevich was from a prominent Argentine family—her grandmother, Cris Morena, and grandfather Gustavo Yankelevich, are both renowned media figures.
In a heartbreaking birthday tribute earlier this year, Morena called her granddaughter “my happy and free little fairy.”
Survivors and Eyewitnesses Recall the Horror
Two children survived the crash—a 12-year-old camper and the 19-year-old instructor.
The younger children were reportedly thrown from the boat by the force of the impact.
One child who witnessed the event, nine-year-old Enzo Pifer Eddy, told reporters, “All the kids went flying.”
Another witness described how a crane on the barge completely crushed the boat, adding that they heard a child screaming beneath the wreckage.
What Happens Next in the Investigation
Investigators are now focused on determining who had the right of way and whether the tugboat pushing the barge was “restricted in its ability to maneuver”—a key detail in maritime navigation law.
Although sailboats generally have right of way over motor-powered vessels, exceptions exist for barges involved in limited-movement operations.
Miami Yacht Club member Katie Flood-Reiss defended the sailing instructor, stating that with almost no wind that day, it would have been nearly impossible for the instructor to steer the boat out of the barge’s path in time.
Sailing Program Paused While Answers Are Sought
The youth sailing program has been suspended while the Coast Guard and other authorities work to piece together what led to this tragedy.
Officials say the investigation could take several months before conclusions are reached.
Meanwhile, families and community members are mourning three young lives taken far too soon, asking how something so tragic could happen on what was meant to be a joyful summer day.