Last hospitalized survivor of Fort Lauderdale Memorial Day boat explosion discharged
7-year-old Anthony Rivera spent 95 days at Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami recovering from a Memorial Day boat explosion in Fort Lauderdale. He was released Friday, the last of 11 people who had spent time recovering from the blast in hospital beds.
Among the injured was Anthony’s mother, Cassandra, and his brother, 5-year-old Kash, according to a Jackson Health System spokesperson. She was discharged from a hospital after a week-and-a-half stay, while Kash was released on July 21.
On May 26, 15 people were aboard a 39-foot Sea Ray that burst into flames in the Intracoastal Waterway near the large sandbar by the New River. Eleven people — including two children — were hospitalized with injuries.
READ MORE: Father of four dies after Memorial Day boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale
The blast also claimed one life, killing Joshua Fifi. The 29-year-old father of four was operating the boat.
In June, Cassandra Rivera told reporters that Anthony had burns on 80% of his body and Kash had burns on 40% of his. She recalled the terrifying moments before the explosion.
“I was giving my little one, Kash, water, and he looked at me and said, ‘Mommy, I think something bad is going to happen,’ ” she said. “All I could hear on the other side [of the boat] was my husband screaming, ‘I smell fuel, I smell fuel. Please stop!’ ”
Fire officials say the blast was likely caused by fuel vapors that ignited a flash fire when the boat was started. The source of the vapors is under investigation.
READ MORE: ‘A fireball.’ Fuel vapors likely caused Fort Lauderdale boat explosion, fire rescue says
This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 4:59 PM.
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