A tragic incident in Florida took the life of a New York teen, stemming from a boating accident during a graduation trip. Fourteen-year-old Rachel Aliza Nisanov was celebrating her eighth-grade graduation with family in Fort Lauderdale when she got onto a personal boat with her 16-year-old sister, Aviva.
As their brother Jonah recounted, the sisters lost control on their return to the dock and struck it, resulting in their ejection from the boat. “I think they were coming back and just, maybe, didn’t steer properly,” he said.
Their father, Rabishromonisanov, who was nearby, jumped in to help despite not knowing how to swim. Jonah shared that his father acted quickly, risking his own safety to save his daughters. “Rachel was unconscious,” he explained, noting the injuries his father sustained during the rescue.
Rachel and Aviva were transported to Broward Health Medical Center. Unfortunately, Rachel succumbed to her injuries, while Aviva, who underwent surgery, was reported to be in critical condition and sedated the following day.
Jonah remembered Rachel as a compassionate person who would go out of her way to help others. He also noted that she was particularly thrilled about the boat outing.
After Rachel’s body was brought back to New York, a funeral took place at the Buharian Jewish Community Center in Forest Hills. Following the service, arrangements were made for her burial in Jerusalem, honoring their family traditions.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is currently investigating the cause of the accident. They indicated that during the tour, it appears the sisters failed to maintain control after catching the wake from a passing vessel, ultimately colliding with a concrete dock.
