A Connecticut Community in Mourning

The boating death of a 16-year-old Greenwich girl was recognized by the Greenwich Board of Selectmen Thursday morning where the victim was described by First Selectman Peter Tesei as “one of the most promising people” in Greenwich.

“This is any familiy’s worst nightmare in terms of losing a young person. The circumstances surrounding it are even more emotionally disturbing,” Tesei said. “Our hearts go out to the family young girl who perished and to the families of the other girls as well.”

The unidentified victim was one of a quartet of rising Greenwich High School juniors who were enjoying a bright sunny day on Long Island Sound Wednesday. Greenwich Police said that two of the girls were aboard a large tube that was being pulled by the boat carrying the other two. Police are investigating how the girls aboard the tube were run over by the boat and cut by the propeller, killing one teen and seriously injuring the other who is being treated at Stamford Hospital. Greenwich Police have scheduled an 11:30 a.m. press conference Thursday to release the victim’s identities.

Tesei said, “Our collective support, thoughts and prayers go out to the families. “It is not a good morning in the Town of Greenwich. Quite frankly, it is a profoundly sad one.”

Tesei also praised the efforts of emergency personnel including Selectman Drew Marzullo, a paramedic supervisor with Greenwich Emergency Medical Service, who was one of the first responders to the scene. The victims were brought to the Old Greenwich Yacht Club at Greenwich Point Park following the accident.

An emotional Marzullo said he was at Stamford Hospital with Police Chief James Heavey and Lt. David Nemacek to inform the victims’ families.

“In some ways, what happened yesterday is unimaginable … it is a grave day,” Marzullo said. He also said that the incident highlights state regulations that the minimum age for boating certification is 13 years. “This is not the time but I was surprised to learn that boating age in Connecticut is just 13. I can tell you that in speaking with state Rep. Fred Camillo, we should get into that aspect of it when appropriate to somehow revisit that on the Hartford level.”

Before pausing the selectmen’s meeting to observe a moment of silence in memory of the teen, Tesei said that in addition to offering grief counseling, Greenwich Public Schools also have organized a crisis intervention team for students who may need or want those services.

In a statement released Thursday morning by Greenwich Public Schools spokesman Kim Eves, the district said, “Counseling services for students, staff and the broader community are available at Greenwich High School and Eastern Middle School today, Thursday, August 7, and tomorrow, Friday, August 8, from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please check in at the main office at the schools. If you need additional support, please contact Director of Guidance for the Greenwich Public Schools Judith Nedell at:

Judith_nedell@greenwich.k12.ct.us or cardshelp@greenwichschools.org.

“We will continue to monitor the need for additional services in the weeks and months to come.”