Family Members of Children Who Drowned in 4th of July Yachting Accident Speak Out

The family members of the three children who drowned in that horrific Independence Day Yachting accident off the coast of Long Island, New York, are speaking out. INSIDE EDITION has the story.

A simulation that was done for Yachting Monthly magazine is getting renewed attention following the tragic drowning of three children off the coast of Long Island, New York, as they watched Fourth of July fireworks.

The terrifying simulation of what a passenger faces when trapped upside down inside the cabin as the boat is sinking shows water rushing in as furniture and debris fly everywhere.

One of the victims of that 4th of July tragedy, Victoria Gaines would have turned 8 on Friday. Her grieving mom wrote on Facebook, "I simply do not know how to go on from here. My heart is destroyed as is the lives of our families."

The mother of 11-year-old Halie Trainor is responding to reports that the vessel was severely overcrowded with 27 people on board. She went on Facebook to say, "You all don't know the facts and how many people were on that boat. Three kids are gone for no fault but the weather and the water."

The boat's operator, Sal Aureliano, whose nephew, David, drowned in the tragedy, spoke through his closed front door.

"The boat just started to turn. It was an accident," he said.  
 
A spokesperson for the families made a brief statement, "It was just a tragic accident and three little angels are lost right now."