Local News
Multiple Rescued After Boat Fire Near Hart Island, Mayday Declared
A mayday emergency was declared Saturday following a serious marine incident in the waters near Hart Island in the Bronx, where a vessel caught fire, resulting in multiple people being thrown into the Long Island Sound.
According to emergency communications, Marine 4 and other responding fire and rescue units were deployed to the scene after reports emerged of a boat fully engulfed in flames on the east side of Hart Island.
At least 10 individuals were reported in the water following the incident, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.
Authorities confirmed that multiple rescues were conducted, with victims being transported to a designated triage point at 150 City Island Drive, where EMS personnel took over care.
At least one person was reported to be in cardiac arrest and was receiving life-saving efforts from first responders.
Per the Coast Guard – there are 21 patients being transported to shore.
All patients are accounted for and in transit.
The New York City Fire Department declared a “Mayday” status to indicate the severity of the situation.
All hands were operating as emergency services worked to rescue and stabilize victims while containing the fire.
The cause of the boat fire remains under investigation.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at UrbanaโChampaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. โ A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coronerโs Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coronerโs Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguezโs death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguezโs death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.