The father of a young girl who died in a tragic Miami boating accident has spoken out to honor his daughter and call for justice, hoping to prevent similar heartbreak for other families.
On July 28, 2025, a devastating boat crash in Florida claimed the lives of two young girls, including 13-year-old Erin Victoria Ko Han from Chile. Her father, Pil Jye Ko, recounted the last words she said to him before boarding the sailboat involved in the accident.
At the time, Erin was attending a summer camp. Following the tragedy, a video of Pil Jye Ko’s emotional interview gained traction on social media, where many expressed deep sympathy and grief.
One viewer commented, “I couldn’t finish the video — seeing him cry breaks my heart into pieces 😢. Such a sorrowful loss, rest peacefully little angel 👼🙏🕊️.”
Another wrote, “This is a heartbreaking tragedy 😢💔❤️💔. My condolences. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.” A third person expressed shock: “Oh my God, losing his only daughter 😣😣😣.”
The Accident
The collision occurred around 11:15 a.m. on Monday in Biscayne Bay when a 60-foot barge struck a 17-foot sailboat carrying five minors and a 19-year-old instructor. Alongside Erin, 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich also died.
Reports indicated the instructor was unable to avoid the collision. Autopsies confirmed both girls died from accidental drowning. Two other children, aged 8 and 11, survived but remained in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Remembering Mila Yankelevich
Mila was the granddaughter of producer Cris Morena and daughter of Tomás Yankelevich and Sofía Reca. She had been attending the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation summer camp, which teaches sailing to kids ages 7 to 15.
Just days before the accident, Mila’s grandmother shared a video montage of photos set to “Todo Todo,” a song from the Argentine show Chiquititas.
About Erin Ko Han
Born in Chile to a family of Korean heritage, Erin lived there until December 2024. She attended San Pedro Nolasco School in Vitacura, where she was known for her warmth, academic dedication, and active school participation.
The Ko family relocated to Miami late last year for work and new opportunities. Erin had since enrolled at Nautilus Middle School and enjoyed volleyball and swimming. According to her father, she spoke Spanish, English, and Korean, and was also learning Japanese.
Following the tragedy, the Chilean Consulate in Miami issued condolences, expressing sympathy for the families affected by the boating accident in Biscayne Bay.
A Father’s Heartbreaking Testimony
In an interview with Local 10 News, Pil Jye Ko shared the immense grief his family feels after losing their only child. “She was everything to us,” he said tearfully. “She was a perfect daughter.”
He recalled Erin’s last words to him and his wife before boarding the boat: “I still remember her saying goodbye, ‘See you later, Daddy and Mommy.’” Tragically, that reunion never happened.
Upon hearing about the accident, Pil hoped it was a nightmare and waited anxiously for the hospital to confirm his daughter was alive. But when they arrived, they found Erin without vital signs and badly injured. “She had injuries all over—her head, arms, legs—everywhere,” he said.
During the interview, Pil demanded justice, stating, “Two girls are gone, and two others remain critically injured. This must never happen again.” He emphasized the need for answers to find peace and properly say goodbye to his daughter.
The Ko family also issued a public statement thanking supporters: “On July 28, our lives changed forever due to a heartbreaking accident that took Erin from us too soon, leaving us devastated beyond words.”
Although interviewed for an English-language channel, Pil spoke in Spanish; the broadcast was subtitled for viewers. The family asked for privacy during this unbearable time and offered condolences to all grieving families affected by the tragedy.
