Resident Saves Family Of Six After Boat Sinks

On Saturday May 26 th, Kevin Neville of Garden City, single handedly pulled a Queens family of six from the chilly waters of the East River - after the boat they were in sank.

The Valdez Family of Queens was on a Memorial Day weekend cruise when their boat capsized in waves from a passing tugboat.

They were thrown from their 17 foot motorboat into the East River of Manhattan in the section known as Hell's Gate, an area known for treacherous currents, the Coast Guard said.On Saturday May 26 th, Kevin Neville of Garden City, single handedly pulled a Queens family of six from the chilly waters of the East River - after the boat they were in sank.

The Valdez Family of Queens was on a Memorial Day weekend cruise when their boat capsized in waves from a passing tugboat.

They were thrown from their 17 foot motorboat into the East River of Manhattan in the section known as Hell's Gate, an area known for treacherous currents, the Coast Guard said.

The family held on to each other and a plastic cooler to keep their heads above water in the surging currents, and watched helplessly as at least two other boats passed them without stopping.

But Kevin Neville spotted them from his 31 foot powerboat and quickly took command - notifying the Coast Guard and NYPD. Neville grabbed his safety line and tossed it out to the desperate family - pulling each member on board.

NYPD helicopters and Coast Guard rescue boats arrived soon after, but the shivering family were already safe on Neville's boat.

All six family members were wearing life jackets and no serious injuries were reported, the Coast Guard said.

Kevin Neville who was on his way into Manhattan to check out the Navy ships in town for Fleet week said he did what anyone would do in that situation.

But the Valdez family feels different "Kevin is a hero - he is our angel - thank God he saved us."