Officials: 1 dead, 1 injured in boat crash into deck of West Fire Island home
Police have identified the man who died as Phillip Sanzano, 47, of Bellport.
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Police say one person has died following a boat crash early Thursday on West Fire Island.
The crash happened around 7:30 a.m., according to police.
Officials say Suffolk Marine Bureau and Islip FD fire located the boat overturned on land after it crashed into the deck of a home.
The area near the island had extremely low water. Fire, police and Coast Guard boats were unable to make it near the scene, officials say.
Police had personnel enter the water and walk on foot through the shallow water to access the scene.
Upon arrival, officials say the crew found one male dead and a second injured. Two dogs who were also on the boat that appeared uninjured.
Police have identified the man who died as Phillip Sanzano, 47, of Bellport.
Police say the injured victim, 47-year-old Christopher Cannella, was knocked unconscious.
“He just said he remembers hitting something, he lost consciousness for a bit and when he woke up, he was struggling to find a phone to make a phone call,” says Islip Fire Department Capt. Joe Ferrari.
Cannella, of West Babylon, eventually was able to call 911.
He was loaded onto a golf cart and brought across the island to the fire boat along with his dogs for transport to the mainland, officials say.
Cannella was transferred to South Shore University Hospital.
Suffolk County police tell News 12 Cannella suffered rib injuries, a shoulder injury and is being examined for a concussion.
Ferrari also says he presumes the boaters were doing a “significant rate of speed” to have gotten to where they were.
The two dogs were released to a family member.
There were no injuries on the island or to any rescuers.
VIDEO: Chopper 12 over the boat crash in West Fire Island
