Missing Boater Found In South Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL -- The body of a missing boater washed up along the shore in South Beach early Monday morning, ending a search that began on Saturday night and included divers and specialized equipment, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The agency's Ronald Klepper told Patch that the body was that of 28-year-old Jennifer Y Munoz Cadavid of Fort Lauderdale, who was killed when a 32-foot Cape Horn boat crashed into the south side of the north jetty at Government Cut on Saturday night. The crash occurred not far from the spot where Miami Marlins pitching great José Fernández was killed in 2016.

A Pompano Beach couple was also killed in Saturday's crash and another person from Juno Beach was taken to Ryder Trauma Center of Jackson Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

The couple was identified as 56-year-old Christopher Colgan and 38-year-old Elisaine Colgan, who would have celebrated her 39th birthday on Sunday. Their bodies were found along the jetty. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Thirty-seven-year-old Troy Forte of Juno Beach was identified as the person who was rescued.

"Search and rescue efforts were immediately initiated," said Klepper. "Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims."

Donald Washington of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told Patch late Sunday morning that the search and rescue efforts included divers.

"They're using sonar-type equipment and we're working with Coast Guard and Fire Rescue," explained Washington on Sunday.

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.