By msnbc.com's Marian Smith and news services
Three people were pulled out of New York's Long Island Sound overnight after a yacht capsized on the Fourth of July, and 24 others were rescued, police said.
Nassau County Deputy Inspector Kenneth Lack said the three bodies were recovered from the water near Oyster Bay after a long overnight search.
The 24 survivors were pulled from the water around 11 p.m. ET Wednesday, about an hour after the 34-foot Silverton boat capsized, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Owners of private boats dragged people into their vessels until crews from law enforcement agencies and fire departments arrived, according to local reports.
Lack said some but not all passengers were wearing life jackets. He said weather may have played a factor or a wake from another vessel may have caused the boat to capsize.
Newsday reported that the 27 people on board were watching the Fourth of July fireworks.
A boater told Newsday he saw the yacht turn right and then tip over after it was hit by a wake. "It was like in slow motion," said Sammy Balasso of Oyster Bay. "All of a sudden, a lot of bodies were in the water."
His nephew, 15-year-old Frankie Barbone of Bayview, said the waves almost came up over the yacht.
Balasso said he put the spotlight of his 38-foot speedboard on the Silverton and then threw all the life jackets he had with him into the water. He said he rescued 20 people who were later taken to the shore in police boats.
Nassau County Deputy Inspector Kenneth Lack told Newsday that most of the people rescued were taken to hospitals for observation but that one person was in critical condition.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Teen trapped for 5 hours 'skin against ice' in glacier
- Lifeguard: I was fired for rescue outside my beach zone
- Kids cross border alone, fleeing drugs and gangs
- 3 kids electrocuted while swimming in Mo., Tenn.
- Video: Oregon unveils ‘Electric Highway'
- Hot dog! America celebrates Fourth of July
- Could you pass the US citizenship test?
