A night on Boston Harbor ended in tragedy after a 24-year-old woman lost her life and three others were hospitalized following a violent boating crash near Boston Logan International Airport. What began as a simple evening on the water turned into chaos and heartbreak, leaving families and friends in shock as they try to understand how the sudden accident unfolded.

The crash happened late Wednesday night at around 11:20 p.m. when a twin-engine recreational boat struck the runway 4R Pier in Boston Harbor. The impact was sudden and forceful, turning a calm night into an emergency scene within seconds. Rescue crews were quickly called to the shoreline as reports came in of a serious marine accident involving multiple people in the water.

Authorities confirmed that four people were on board the vessel at the time of the crash—one man and three women. All four were pulled from the water and rocky shoreline and rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital for emergency care. Despite medical efforts to save her life, one of the female passengers later died from her injuries. Officials said the other three survivors are expected to recover.

The Suffolk District Attorney’s Office identified the victim as 24-year-old Elizabeth Dankert of Andover. Investigators said she had been in Boston’s Seaport District earlier in the evening with two close friends, both 23 years old, before they boarded a boat operated by a 40-year-old man. Moments after setting out, the trip ended in tragedy when the vessel struck the pier under circumstances still being investigated.

Officials said the boat hit the pier with significant force, throwing passengers into the water and onto jagged rocks along the shoreline. The conditions made rescue efforts extremely difficult, with darkness, cold water, and unstable footing creating serious risks for first responders. Boston EMS and Massport Fire crews worked together in a fast and coordinated response to reach and rescue all victims from the dangerous area.

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden expressed deep sympathy for Elizabeth’s family and friends, calling the loss devastating while also praising the courage and effort of first responders who worked through harsh conditions. As investigators continue to examine what led to the crash, many questions remain unanswered, including how the boat struck the pier and what factors may have contributed. For the Boston community, the tragedy has left a lasting sense of grief as they remember a young life lost too soon and three others still recovering from a night that changed everything.