Justin B. Shapiro of Leesfield & Companions represents the household of sailboat crash survivor 7-year-old Calena Gruber, who survived the incident that occurred on July 28, 2025.
A 7-year-old survivor of the lethal Miami sailboat crash has been launched from the hospital, and the lawyer representing her household says the kid “stared demise within the face.”
Calena Areyan Gruber was on board the 17-foot sailboat struck by a barge close to Hibiscus Island in Miami Seashore on July 28.
The victims have been recognized as 13-year-old Erin Ko Han, 10-year-old Arielle Buchman and 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich. The youngsters have been all taking part in a Miami Yacht Membership Youth Crusing Basis summer time camp, lawyer Justin B. Shapiro of Leesfield & Companions instructed FOX Enterprise.
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Calena Areyan Gruber, 7, is seen after being dropped off on the crusing summer time camp she participated in previous to the crash that claimed three lives. (Supplied by household of Calena Areyan Gruber / Fox Information)
This system director listed on the camp’s web site didn’t reply to FOX Enterprise’ request for remark. This yr, eight week-long classes have been provided for kids aged 7-15, and costs to take part ranged from $450 to $500 per baby.
“This can be a 7-year-old lady who stared demise within the face,” Shapiro mentioned. “She is aware of how shut she was to dying. She was trapped below that barge, and he or she voices that to her mother and father repeatedly with crying spells.”
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Calena Areyan Gruber, backside proper, together with her mother and father and sibling. (Supplied by household of Calena Areyan Gruber / Fox Information)
Shapiro mentioned Calena is “coated in lacerations, bruises, contusions” and is “in horrible ache.”
He mentioned there have been “catastrophic failures” within the highly-congested waters, and the health worker dominated the three victims died from “unintentional drowning.”
The scene of the sailboat sinking that claimed three lives off the coast of Miami Seashore on July 28, 2025. (WSVN / Fox Information)
“Right away, what ought to have been a day of pleasure and connection on the water changed into a supply of unimaginable grief,” Calena’s mother and father, Karina Gruber Moreno and Enrique Areyan Viqueira, mentioned in a press release.
“Our hearts will perpetually stay with the households concerned on this most tragic incident,” it mentioned.
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The U.S. Coast Guard is the company main the investigation into the crash and instructed FOX Enterprise in a press release that “the proof assortment section of the marine casualty investigation is ongoing and making progress.”
No findings about who was answerable for the collision have been launched.
“The three lives misplaced won’t be forgotten and proceed to inspire our investigative efforts,” Capt. Frank Florio, Commander Coast Guard Sector Miami, mentioned within the assertion. “We stay steadfast in our dedication to conducting a radical, neutral investigation to find out the circumstances surrounding the collision.”
Fox Information Digital’s Stephen Sorace, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.