**Tragic Boat Capsize in San Francisco Bay Claims Third Life**
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The devastating incident involving a capsized boat in the San Francisco Bay has led to the identification of its third fatality. Local reports confirm that Carol Boisa, 74, from Sacramento County, has been identified as one of the victims following the tragedy that unfolded on July 14.
The unfortunate event took place around 3:35 PM local time when a cabin cruiser, which was carrying 20 family members attending a memorial service, began to sink between the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Initial reports indicated that one passenger, 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa, lost his life during the incident, with rescue efforts later uncovering the body of 58-year-old Tondra Madruga two days later.
Authorities confirmed that 16 individuals were rescued in the wake of the capsizing, yet the recovery effort faced significant challenges. On Saturday, July 25, the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) announced the discovery of a body near Point Diablo, close to the Golden Gate Bridge. This body was later identified as Carol Boisa, marking her as the third person to die from this tragic event.
The response from law enforcement was swift. The SFPD Marine Unit received reports of a deceased individual in the water and promptly dispatched officers to the scene. With the help of the San Francisco Fire Department, they recovered Carol’s body, which had been found floating in the bay. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, with the local medical examiner also present at the site.
Carol Boisa was the elder sister of the cabin cruiser’s captain, John Boisa, who survived the accident. Reports reveal that Clifford Joseph Boisa’s wife, Jackie, is still unaccounted for, adding to the sorrow faced by the family involved in this boating tragedy.
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) had suspended its search for the missing individuals on July 15, just a day after the incident, after scouring a vast area of 950 square nautical miles. During this challenging time, USCG Captain Jared S. Toczko expressed the emotional difficulty of such decisions, as they extend condolences to the affected families.
Stephanie Gollmer, Carol’s daughter, was aboard the ill-fated vessel during the incident and recounted her harrowing experience. Reflecting on the moments leading up to the capsizing, she recalled how the boat tilted sharply, prompting the passengers to react in alarm. “We got splashed a few times and then decided, ‘Let’s go inside.’ [Then] there was one really far tilt this way and we all went, ‘Uh-oh,’” she said.
In the chaos that ensued, Stephanie described a frantic escape. “The last time I saw my mum, she was standing right next to me in the kitchen. My mum just went down, my aunt slid past me in a chair and then realised we’re not going back,” she explained. As the water flooded the cabin, she managed to escape by diving through a window, but the anguish of searching for her mother amidst the turmoil remains vivid in her mind.
The community and authorities continue to reflect on the heartbreaking implications of this incident, which has gathered widespread media attention. Local news outlets and family statements have highlighted the profound sense of loss felt not only by those directly affected but also by the wider community when such tragedies occur.
As inquiries into the specific causes of the boat’s capsizing continue, many hope for further clarity about the circumstances that led to this heart-wrenching event. Those directly impacted by the tragedy are being supported by various services as the community rallies to honour the memories of Carol, Clifford, and the other individuals affected by this boating accident. The SFPD and the San Francisco Medical Examiner’s Office are working to provide further updates as the investigation unfolds.