Coral Gables woman killed in Biscayne Bay boating accident identified
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission identified a person who was killed Saturday after a boat lost control on Biscayne Bay as a 33-year-old Coral Gables woman.
Claudia Balmaseda Orellanes died around 10:40 a.m. in Biscayne Bay, west of West Point, a FWC spokesperson said Sunday.
Neil D. Schwabe, 54, of Coconut Grove, was operating a 27-foot boat with Balmaseda Orellanes on board north of the popular Nixon Beach Sandbar, according to the FWC.
Schwabe and Balmaseda Orellanes were thrown into the water and hit by the boat, the FWC said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue recovered them from the water, and Schwabe was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
READ MORE: Video shows boat spinning out of control off Nixon Beach. Woman killed, man hurt
Details on what led to the crash or the extent of Schwabe’s injuries have not been released. No additional information was available Sunday night, and officials are investigating the incident.
“The FWC extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
Balmaseda Orellanes was the second person who died last week in a boating crash on Biscayne Bay. Davide Veglia, 55, was killed Wednesday in a boating hit-and-run crash in the Meloy Channel of Biscayne Bay. His 14-year-old son was also injured.
