MIAMI – Newly released radio transmissions from one of the worst boating accidents in South Florida history show Miami-Dade fire rescuers knew one of the victims.
Four people were killed the night of the Fourth of July accident and two of the bodies weren't recovered until the next day.
Jack Garcia is a retired fire captain who has been highly critical of the rescue response, blaming budget cuts from keeping a Miami-Dade County Fire boat from entering the search. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officials said it was his son, Andy Garcia, who was driving the boat that caused the deadly chain-reaction crash.
Evidence of alcohol was found on Garcia's boat, and by daylight crews were still searching for Garcia's body and that of Victoria Dempsey. Dempsey's body was found at 7:05 a.m. on July 5. The search continued for Garcia's body, with his father playing an active role in the search.
A log of the rescue calls shows Garcia's body was found at 11:40 a.m.