Farhana Nasir, Kiran Akbar; Two New York women killed in Maine boat accident

Farhana Nasir, Kiran Akbar – A tragic boating accident in Maine has left two women dead and another fighting for her life after a pontoon boat overturned on Flagstaff Lake over the weekend. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife confirmed the accident, which took place Saturday afternoon, and said emergency crews responded quickly to assist the victims.

Authorities reported that seven individuals were aboard an 18-foot pontoon boat when they set out from a dock on Flagstaff Lake at about 1:30 p.m. Their outing turned disastrous in front of the beach area near Cathedral Pines Campground, a popular spot for recreation and camping. Roughly 180 feet from shore, the vessel suddenly went under and flipped, throwing all passengers into the cold lake water.

Bystanders and rescuers rushed to help as the passengers struggled in the water. According to officials, three of the victims were found unresponsive, prompting immediate CPR efforts at the scene. Despite those attempts, two women could not be revived.

The deceased were identified as 53-year-old Farhana Nasir of Selden, New York, and 23-year-old Kiran Akbar of Lake Grove, New York. Their deaths were confirmed at the scene of the accident. Another young woman, a 22-year-old also from New York, was critically injured. She was airlifted from the site by medical helicopter and transported to a hospital for treatment. Her current condition remains grave, and doctors continue to monitor her closely.

The four other individuals aboard the pontoon survived the incident without life-threatening injuries, though they were shaken by the traumatic event. Officials have not yet released the names of the surviving passengers.

Investigators emphasized that none of the seven passengers had been wearing life jackets at the time of the accident. Maine boating regulations strongly encourage the use of personal flotation devices, particularly on lakes and larger bodies of water. Authorities noted that wearing life jackets could have significantly improved the victims’ chances of survival, as the overturned boat left them vulnerable in the open water.

While the exact cause of the accident remains under review, officials have ruled out alcohol as a contributing factor. Weather and lake conditions on Saturday appeared typical for the season, though investigators are examining whether the boat’s size, weight distribution, or mechanical problems might have played a role in its capsizing.

The deaths of Nasir and Akbar have brought shock and sorrow to both Maine and New York communities. Friends and relatives are grieving the sudden loss of two women whose lives were cut short during what was meant to be a recreational outing.

The incident has also raised renewed concerns about water safety and the importance of life jackets. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife continues to urge boaters and swimmers to take proper precautions, reminding the public that even a calm lake can quickly become deadly if safety rules are overlooked.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to understand what led to the pontoon’s sudden overturn, but for the families affected, the tragedy has already left a lasting impact.