A gust of wind caused a Hobie Cat sailboat to capsize near the Saugatuck River channel entrance in the Long Island Sound on Tuesday, August 26. An 18-year-old sailing instructor and three young children were all thrown into the water. Three-year-old William Howell and six-year-old Andrew Howell survived, but their cousin, three-year-old Alexandra Vitale, died.

Authorities say children had life vests on, but may have been in the water for nearly 20 minutes waiting for someone to rescue them. Another boat found the instructor and one child clinging to the capsized boat, called in a mayday and then assisted in the rescue. When Alexandra was finally pulled from the water, she was unresponsive and CPR was administered on the way to the hospital where she died.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, please contact an experienced boating accident attorney in your area.