A young girl who narrowly escaped a deadly boating crash in Miami has been released from the hospital, and her family’s lawyer says she has been left deeply shaken, both physically and emotionally.
Seven-year-old Calena Areyan Gruber was aboard a 17-foot sailboat on July 28 when it was struck by a barge near Hibiscus Island in Miami Beach. The devastating crash claimed the lives of 13-year-old Erin Ko Han, 10-year-old Arielle Buchman, and 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich.
The children were all enrolled in a Miami Yacht Club Youth Sailing Foundation summer program at the time, attorney Justin B. Shapiro of Leesfield & Partners confirmed.
‘She Was Trapped Under That Barge’
Shapiro, who represents Calena’s family, described the harrowing experience she endured.
“This is a 7-year-old girl who stared death in the face,” Shapiro said.
“She knows how close she was to dying. She was trapped under that barge, and she voices that to her parents repeatedly with crying spells.”
The attorney added that Calena remains badly injured. “She is covered in lacerations, bruises, contusions and is in terrible pain,” Shapiro said.
Summer Joy Turns To Heartbreak
The camp where the children were enrolled had been offering week-long sailing sessions for kids between the ages of 7 and 15, charging families between $450 and $500 per child. The camp’s program director, listed online, did not respond.
Calena’s parents, Karina Gruber Moreno and Enrique Areyan Viqueira, issued a statement following the tragedy. “In an instant, what should have been a day of joy and connection on the water turned into a source of unimaginable grief,” they said. “Our hearts will forever remain with the families involved in this most tragic incident.”
‘Catastrophic Failures’ On Crowded Waters
According to Shapiro, the highly congested waters where the crash occurred were plagued with “catastrophic failures.” The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office determined the three young victims died from “accidental drowning.”
The shocking scene left families and the broader community reeling, with many questioning how such a devastating collision could unfold during what should have been a safe, supervised camp outing.
Coast Guard Vows Full Investigation
The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the investigation into the collision. In a statement, the agency said, “The evidence collection phase of the marine casualty investigation is ongoing and making progress.”
Capt. Frank Florio, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami, emphasized that investigators are determined to uncover the truth. “The three lives lost will not be forgotten and continue to motivate our investigative efforts,” he said. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to conducting a thorough, impartial investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.”
So far, no determination of responsibility has been announced.
