City council honors waterskiing accident victim Ella Adler | Key Biscayne

During the most recent City Council meeting on May 14, Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco asked for a moment of silence in memory of Ella Adler, who died in a water skiing accident at the hands of a runaway boater on Saturday, May 11, and for her family to pray.

Melissa White, executive director of the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, who spoke during public comments at the village council meeting, said her daughter Caitlyn was on the boat with other friends while Adler was in the water.

“This weekend will be a marker for their lives, a turning point,” White said, thanking the village’s police chief and fire chief for showing up and helping, as well as the community’s response.

“The Adler family’s lives will be forever changed,” she said, adding that she hopes the girls’ lives “can go on” despite their experiences. “Even though Ella doesn’t live in our community, you all showed up.”

Key Biscayne resident Natalie Estrella of the Monica Burguera Foundation said her organization raises funds and awareness for programs to educate boaters about boating safety. Her husband, Nick, founded the foundation in 2008 after a close family friend was killed on the water.

Since then, they have worked with the Coast Guard Auxiliary on a program that has taught about 12,000 children the rules of boating. The Burguera Foundation was also part of the SoFlo Boat Show at Miami Marine Stadium last weekend.

Ironically, the mother of three boys said an 8-hour course was being held at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club the same afternoon the Adler accident occurred. She and her husband have also been working with the Key Biscayne Community Foundation in hopes of “making it safe for everyone.”