Child’s Sailing Death Investigation Continues: FWC

SARASOTA, FL — The investigation into Saturday’s death of a child during a Sarasota Youth Sailing practice in Sarasota Bay continues, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said.

Ten-year-old Ethan Isaacs was killed when several sailboats collided during the practice Saturday morning. Sarasota Youth Sailing is a nonprofit that teaches children how to sail.

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In an email, FWC southwest region public information director Melody Kilborn said the operator of a 20-foot vessel was assisting the operator of an 8-foot sailboat who was having trouble. When the individual on the 20-foot boat lost his footing and fell, he accidentally activated his vessel into gear and was thrown from the boat.

The unmanned vessel continued moving through the water and struck several 8-foot sailboats being used during the practice session, Kilborn said. Three children, including Ethan, were injured in this incident. The two other children suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Anyone who witnessed this accident or has additional information is encouraged to call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).