The grieving father of a young girl who lost her life in a Miami boating tragedy has broken his silence in a public plea for justice, determined to prevent other families from enduring such devastating loss.
The accident occurred on July 28, 2025, in Florida, shattering several Hispanic families. Among the victims was 13-year-old Erin Victoria Ko Han, a Chilean-born girl with Korean roots. Her father, Pil Jye Ko, later recounted the last thing his daughter said before boarding the sailboat.
Erin had been attending a summer camp when the incident happened. Following the tragedy, an emotional video of her father’s interview gained widespread attention on social media, where people poured out their condolences.
One YouTube commenter shared, “I had to stop watching… seeing that father cry like that shattered me 😢. Heartbreaking. Rest in peace, sweet angel 👼🙏🕊️.”
Another said, “What a loss 😢💔. So sorry for your pain. Fly high, little angel.” A third wrote, “I can’t believe it… his only daughter 😣.”
An Unthinkable Collision
The crash involved a 60-foot barge colliding with a much smaller 17-foot sailboat in Biscayne Bay around 11:15 a.m. on Monday. The sailboat carried five children and a 19-year-old camp instructor. The impact killed Erin and 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich.
Reports state that the instructor had no chance to steer clear of the oncoming vessel. The autopsy confirmed both girls drowned accidentally. Two other children, aged 8 and 11, remained hospitalized in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
A Promising Life Cut Short
Erin was born in Chile to a Korean family and lived there until December 2024. She attended San Pedro Nolasco school in Vitacura, which later described her as a kind, engaged student who contributed greatly to school life.
Her family relocated to Miami at the end of 2024 for professional reasons. Erin then enrolled at Nautilus Middle School and enjoyed sports like volleyball and swimming. Her father shared that she spoke Korean, English, and Spanish—and had even started learning Japanese.
The Chilean Consulate in Miami extended their sympathies, stating:
“We mourn the tragic loss of two young girls in Monday’s boating accident in Biscayne Bay. Our hearts go out to their families, especially their parents.”
A Father’s Painful Memory
During an interview with Local 10 News, Erin’s father Pil opened up about the immense sorrow he and his wife are facing after losing their only child. “She was everything to us,” he said, choking back tears. “She was the perfect daughter.”
He shared her final words as they dropped her off that day:
“She said, ‘See you later, Daddy and Mommy.’”
They never got the chance to see her again.
Pil hoped it was all a terrible dream. He waited for a call from the hospital telling him Erin had survived. But when they arrived, they were told she had no vital signs. “Her body was covered in injuries—her head, arms, legs… everywhere,” he recalled.
Calling for accountability, Pil said, “Two young girls are gone, and two others are fighting for their lives. This shouldn’t have happened.” He hopes answers will come—so he can find closure and say a proper goodbye to his daughter.
