A boating trip turned tragic Saturday afternoon when a vessel capsized in rough waters at the mouth of Fire Island Inlet, killing one man and injuring another, Suffolk County Police said.
According to police, Christopher Sicignano, 68, of Lindenhurst, was operating the boat as it entered the inlet around 4:10 p.m. when it overturned in turbulent conditions. Sicignano and his passenger, David Johnson, 70, also of Lindenhurst, were thrown into the water. Neither man was wearing a life jacket, and the boat quickly sank.
A passing boater reported the accident over UHF radio, prompting a swift response from Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau officers and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Sicignano was rescued by a good Samaritan and brought to the Robert Moses State Park Boat Basin, where he was transferred to the West Islip Fire Department Rescue Squad and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip. He was treated and released.
Johnson was recovered by the Coast Guard and brought to Coast Guard Station Babylon, then transported by rescue personnel to the same hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad is investigating the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call detectives at 631-852-6392.
