The Freeport Fire Department was called to a water emergency off Cow Meadow Park for a boating accident with one boat reportedly split in half and multiple people in the water. One vessel was able to make it to shore with both of its occupants requiring medical attention. The other boat was going in circles despite no one aboard. Its occupants were thrown into the water and picked up by Good Samaritans on PWCs and boats prior to the responders’ arrival. There were seven people injured — five on the split vessel and two on the other. Of the injured, four were minors, two were serious, and one victim died at the hospital. Aside from Freeport several other departments and agencies were on scene. Among the fire departments was Baldwin, Oceanside, Point Lookout-Lido, Merrick, Wantagh, and Roosevelt. The cause of the collision was under investigation and all fire units were under the command of Freeport Chief of Department Scott Braun 2100.
– Fire News photo by K2MPhotography.com