Two Young Siblings Die During Family Vacation After Boat Strikes Marker

A family vacation in New Jersey ended in devastating loss after two young siblings died following a boating crash on Barnegat Bay.

Mya Bella Golabek, 9, and her younger brother, Sigmund Paul Golabek, known affectionately as Siggy, were thrown into the water after the vessel they were on struck a channel marker.

The children’s deaths left their parents, relatives, classmates, teammates, and community mourning two lives remembered for joy, energy, imagination, and an inseparable sibling bond.

What began as a summer outing became a tragedy shortly after nightfall, when a boat traveling through the Intracoastal Waterway hit a marker near Berkeley Township.

Children Remembered For Joy And Kindness

Mya was born on April 6, 2017. Her family remembered her as a sweet and fun-loving girl whose kindness and bright personality made others feel loved.

She enjoyed staying active and had a competitive spirit that showed in many of the things she loved to do. Softball and basketball were among her favorite activities.

Mya also loved swimming, visiting the beach, and crabbing during warm summer days and nights. She enjoyed crafting and drawing, giving her a way to express her creativity.

Her family also described her close relationship with the family’s two dogs, Tequila and Captain. The dogs brought her comfort, companionship, and many happy memories.

Those who knew Mya remembered her smile, kind heart, and joyful nature. Her life was short, but the memories she left behind have become deeply precious to the people who loved her.

Siggy Shared A Playful Spirit

Siggy was born on November 29, 2018. In his seven years, he filled his family’s home with laughter, affection, and memories that his loved ones say will always remain with them.

He was remembered as shy and sweet, but also adventurous. His imagination and unique personality made him deeply special to the people around him.

Siggy loved basketball, baseball, swimming, Sonic, and dinosaurs. His interests reflected the playful and curious spirit that his family treasured.

Like his sister, he had a close bond with Tequila and Captain. The dogs were companions, friends, and sources of affection in his young life.

His family also described him as a true momma’s boy. He often challenged his mother to games of rock-paper-scissors, usually with a playful bet involved.

Siggy shared his first name with his father, creating a meaningful connection between them. Father and son also had a special handshake that became a small tradition of their own.

A Close Sibling Bond

Mya and Siggy were remembered not only as brother and sister, but as best friends. Their family described a bond filled with laughter, adventures, and countless memories shared side by side.

The siblings are survived by their parents, Jennifer and Sigmund Golabek, as well as grandparents and a large extended family.

The family described Mya as their angel and Siggy as their little superhero. Together, they were remembered as children whose love for each other was strong, lasting, and central to their lives.

Their deaths have been especially painful because of the ordinary family setting in which the tragedy unfolded. They had been enjoying time with relatives before the boating crash changed everything.

The loss has left a close community struggling to understand how a summer evening could end with two children gone.

Crash Happened Shortly After 9 P.M.

At approximately 9:09 p.m. on July 19, New Jersey State Police troopers were called to a serious vessel crash in the bay area near Berkeley Township.

A preliminary investigation found that a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 was traveling through the Intracoastal Waterway when it struck a channel marker.

The force of the impact ejected Mya and Siggy into the water. Police identified the vessel’s operator as a 63-year-old man from Bayville. Laurie, 64, was also aboard the boat.

The children’s obituaries list Laurie and Steven among their grandparents. The police account used the spelling Stephen for the operator’s first name, while the family information used Steven.

After the collision, Steven and Laurie located both children unresponsive in the water. Mya and Siggy were taken to a nearby hospital in Toms River, where they were pronounced dead.

Family Had Been Out Before The Collision

Information connected to the incident indicated that the family had left a restaurant shortly before the crash. Rescue crews later staged near the pier at that location.

The crash involved Channel Marker 39 in Barnegat Bay. The marker was described as operational that night, with its lights working.

Authorities had not announced whether speed, weather, impairment, visibility, mechanical trouble, or another factor played a role in the crash.

The cause remained under investigation, and no final conclusion had been released.

The uncertainty has made the loss even harder for the community, as many people try to understand what happened during the moments before the boat struck the marker.

Emergency Response Was Deeply Difficult

Berkeley Township Councilman James Byrnes described the emotional toll of the response and shared details about the efforts made after the crash.

“The firemen jumped right in…The one child had a life jacket next to him. Of course, with CPR being performed, they’re going to remove it,” James said.

The statement reflected the difficult and urgent nature of the scene. First responders entered the water and attempted lifesaving measures after the children were found.

The tragedy has weighed heavily on emergency personnel as well as the family. Responders who arrive at scenes involving children often carry those memories long after the incident ends.

James also spoke about the need to support the people who responded that night.

“We make sure our first responders are taken care of. I have the equipment they need. They’re going to be living with this forever in our hearts, and our thoughts go out to the family. This is a real tragedy,” James stated.

Community Left Heartbroken

News of Mya and Siggy’s deaths devastated Bayville and the surrounding area. Residents described the community as close, shaken, and deeply saddened by the loss.

One resident, Michelle Monticello, visited the area to quietly honor the children.

“It’s a very tight community, feeling very disheartened, very sad,” she said.

The grief has spread beyond the immediate family. Friends, neighbors, classmates, teammates, relatives, and first responders have all been affected by the deaths of the two siblings.

The circumstances have also brought attention to boating safety and the risks that can come with nighttime travel on the water.

Second Deadly Marker Crash In Weeks

The July 19 collision involving Mya and Siggy came less than two months after another fatal crash involving a navigation marker on Barnegat Bay.

On May 25, 28-year-old Gunnar Pearson of Barnegat died after the boat he was aboard struck a day marker at approximately 5:45 p.m.

Gunnar and his girlfriend were thrown into the water. He was a New Jersey National Guard member and a Barnegat High School graduate.

That made the July 19 crash the second deadly marker collision on Barnegat Bay in just 55 days.

The closeness of the two fatal incidents added to the concerns surrounding water safety, navigation, and the dangers that can appear suddenly during boating trips.

Other Boating Tragedies Involving Children

The New Jersey crash followed another devastating boating incident involving children earlier in the month.

In that incident, three children died after a recreational boat capsized during a sudden severe storm on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin.

Six adults and four children had been aboard. First responders rescued the adults and one child, while the other three children were later recovered and pronounced dead despite lifesaving efforts.

Officials said all four children had been wearing life jackets. That incident remained under investigation, with authorities warning that dangerous weather can develop rapidly on the water.

Together, the tragedies underline how quickly conditions on the water can become deadly, even during outings that begin as ordinary family experiences.

Two Young Siblings Die: Family Plans Final Goodbye

A joint visitation for Mya and Siggy was scheduled for Friday, July 24, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Riggs Funeral Home on North Main Street in Forked River.

A funeral liturgy was set for 7:30 p.m., followed by a private cremation.

In place of flowers, mourners were asked to donate to causes reflecting the children’s individual passions. Donations in Mya’s memory could be directed to the 10U Storm softball team, while those honoring Siggy could support the Popcorn Park Zoo.

The requests reflected the different interests and personalities of the siblings. Mya’s love of sports and Siggy’s love of animals were both remembered in ways connected to the lives they lived.

Mya and Siggy leave behind a family and community changed forever by their absence. Their lives were brief, but their bond, joy, and the love surrounding them remain central to how they are remembered.