“She Was Kindhearted and Spiritual”: Brother Remembers Rachel Aliza Nisanov, Killed in Fort Lauderdale Watercraft Crash

The brother of the teenage girl who lost her life in a watercraft accident in Fort Lauderdale has spoken about the devastating incident and the pain his family is enduring.

Yonah Nisanov said that his sister, Rachel Aliza Nisanov, had been on a celebratory vacation for her graduation when tragedy struck. Her 16-year-old sister, Aviva Bracha Nisanov, who was steering the personal watercraft, remains in critical but stable condition.

“They were coming back to the dock, and they lost control and hit the dock. They both went flying and hit the dock,” Yonah told NBC6.

Their father, Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, leapt into the water to try to save his daughters, even though he cannot swim. In doing so, he sustained injuries to his hands, feet, and back. “My father did what he could and thank God one of them survived, unfortunately the other didn’t,” Yonah said.

The collision occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday near Northeast 24th Court in the Intracoastal Waterway. Emergency crews transported both girls to Broward Health Medical Center with critical injuries. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that Rachel later succumbed to her injuries.

Yonah remembered Rachel as “kindhearted, spiritual, always going the extra mile,” adding that the family is leaning on their faith to endure the loss. Plans have been made to return her body to New York before her burial in Israel. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The levaya of Rochel Aliza will take place today at the Bukharian JCC, 106-16 70th Ave, Forest Hills, at 6:30 p.m. Kevurah will follow in Eretz Yisroel.

{Matzav.com}