A Belgian Firefighter taking a ride on an FDNY fire boat was killed when a civilian vessel slammed into the ship, FDNY officials said Saturday. FDNY’s Marine 1 was operating in the East River near Pier 11 at about 2200 hours Friday when a charter boat collided with the fire boat. The Firefighter from Belgium was critically injured in the crash and died of his injuries at Bellevue Hospital. Three other civilians and an FDNY firefighter on the boat were also rushed to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries.
The Belgian firefighter had met FDNY officials a few years ago and maintained a relationship with department personnel before Friday’s crash, a source with knowledge of the incident said. It was not immediately clear what led to the Friday night tour. Rest In Peace.