A tragic boating accident in Biscayne Bay claimed the lives of 13-year-old Erin Ko Han and 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich. Erin’s father recalls her heartbreaking final words before the crash.
The Heartbreaking Final Words of Erin Ko Han
On July 28, 2025, a devastating boating accident in Biscayne Bay, Miami took the lives of two young girls — 13-year-old Erin Victoria Ko Han, originally from Chile, and 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich, granddaughter of Argentine producer Cris Morena.
The tragedy happened when a 60-foot barge struck a 17-foot sailboat carrying five children and a 19-year-old instructor during a summer sailing camp. Both Erin and Mila drowned, and two other children remain in critical condition.
A Father’s Pain and Erin’s Last Goodbye
Erin’s father, Pil Jye Ko, shared his daughter’s last words before leaving for the sailing trip:
“See you later, Daddy and Mommy.”
She never came home.
“She was everything to us,” her father said through tears in a viral interview with Local 10 News. “I saw her at the hospital without vital signs… with injuries to her head and limbs. No parent should go through this.”
A Life Full of Dreams Cut Short
Erin had moved from Chile to Miami with her parents in search of a better future. She was their only child — fluent in Korean, English, Spanish, and learning Japanese. At Nautilus Middle School, she was known for her kindness, intelligence, and love for sports like swimming and volleyball.
Tributes and Condolences
The Chilean Consulate in Miami and Erin’s former school in Santiago have expressed condolences. Mila’s family shared their heartbreak online, with her grandmother posting a touching tribute video of her just days before the accident.
Calls for Answers
The Ko family is demanding a full investigation into how such a tragedy could happen.
“A terrible accident took Erin from us far too soon,” the family said. “Our lives are forever changed.”
Both families have asked for privacy as they grieve their unimaginable losses.