6 People Rescued off Ellis Island After Boat Capsizes

An NYPD officer and Statue Cruises employee jumped in the water to save them.

ByABC News
July 12, 2016, 4:48 PM

— -- Six people were rescued from the water near the sea wall at Ellis Island Tuesday after the 15-foot boat they were in capsized, officials said.

The U.S. Park Police Patrol Unit, NYPD Harbor Unit and tourist ferry Statue Cruises responded to the scene, according to the National Park Service after the 15-foot boat took on water as the bilge pump failed.

U.S. Park Police were able to rescue three people, while the NYPD Harbor Unit was able to rescue the remaining three. An officer with the NYPD harbor unit and Statue Cruises employee entered the Upper New York Bay to assist with rescue efforts.

Two adults males, ages 47 and 33, and four girls, ranging in ages 5 to 11, were rescued. All six are members of the same family and were transported to the Jersey City Medical Center, according to the National Park Service.