2 Dead, 1 Injured And 1 Missing In South Beach Boat Crash

MIAMI BEACH, FL -- Two people were killed, another was injured and first responders were searching for a fourth person on Sunday after a boat crashed near Government Cut, not far from the spot where Miami Marlins pitching great José Fernández was killed in 2016.

"We are still searching for the fourth boater," Ronald Washington of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told Patch late Sunday morning. FWC is the lead agency on the investigation.

"They're using sonar-type equipment and we're working with Coast Guard and Fire Rescue," explained Washington, who said divers have also been searching for the missing boater.

Washington said the vessel crashed and overturned on Saturday night north of the jetty at Government Cut and an investigation was underway to find out what caused the crash.

"It's a single vessel incident. It's a crash," said Washington. "It's still early on in the investigation."

Washington said the search will continue until further notice. "We're trying to recover the missing boater," he said, encouraging people to stay away from the search area.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, first responders received a call around 9:21 p.m. Saturday of an overturned vessel that had possibly struck the jetty near Government Cut.

Miami-Dade Fire Boats 73 and 21 both responded along with a Miami-Dade helicopter unit.

"MDFR divers located three people in the vicinity of the accident," said a spokesperson for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. "One patient was found in the water by MDFR divers and the patient was transported by Miami Beach Fire Rescue as a trauma alert to main trauma center."

Divers from both fire boats made several passes in the water to look for additional victims.

Earlier on Saturday, Fireboat 73 also assisted a diver who was injured in an unrelated shallow-water diving incident around Elliott Key.

"After making contact with the vessel, crews from FB73 boarded the vessel to asses and begin treatment on the injured patient," said the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesperson. "FB73 crews remained on board and accompanied the patient to an awaiting Coral Gables Rescue unit at Coco Plum."

The diver was taken by Coral Gables Fire Rescue to an area hospital for further medical evaluation and treatment.

"Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reminds swimmers and divers to always enter the water feet first in order to determine water depth and avoid injuries," the agency spokesperson added.