Child Dies After Boat Overturns In Haverstraw Bay

HAVERSTRAW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - An 8-year-old boy died after the boat he was on overturned in the Hudson River.

It happened in Haverstraw Friday afternoon.

Several other family members had to be rescued.

The park in Rockland County where they were boating is a popular place for Jewish families, this week marking the holiday of Sukkot.

A man took seven kids in a small pleasure boat out onto the river. Shortly after launching at 1:30 p.m., tragedy struck, and a child has died.

Rockland County Sheriff's investigators examined the 17-foot Bayliner that flipped over during a family outing on the Hudson River.

One adult was operating the craft while supervising the seven children.

Out on the choppy water, something went wrong. The boat flipped, and everyone went into the 60 degree water.

The man operating the boat called for hope.

"We are on the phone with who we believe is the operator of the vessel. Apparently they have an 8-year-old that's missing," emergency responders said.

"The children did have life vests on. They were all recovered, all parties brought to shore and taken to Nyack Hospital," said Chief Bill Barbera of the Rockland County Sheriff's Department.

The child who spent the most time underwater was given CPR and rushed to the hospital. CBS2's Tony Aiello saw several other youngster wrapped up against the chill as they were being taken to the hospital.

Investigators want to speak to the boat operator to better understand exactly how things unfolded.

"Obviously, as you can see, it's a windy day. The river is choppy. That will be part of the investigation," said Undersheriff Robert VanCura.

"The death of any child is both an unspeakable horror and a family's worst nightmare. The entire community of Rockland expresses its deepest regrets and condolences for the family of this young boy. May God bless him and his family," Rockland County Executive Ed Day said in a statement.