Viviane Brahms and Emma Afra dead after their Mercedes rolls off ferry at Miami’s Fisher Island

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Viviane Brahms and Emma Afra dead after car falls off ferry at Miami’s Fisher Island
By Amanda Woods, Alex Taylor and Aaron Feis
February 19, 2020 | 1:19pm | Updated


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Emma Afra and Viviane BrahmsWill Ragozzino/BFA.com
A pair of socialites traveling from Miami’s exclusive Fisher Island to the mainland died when their Mercedes-Benz rolled off the car ferry and into the water in a freak tragedy, authorities said.

Viviane Brahms, 75, of Harrison in Westchester County, and driver Emma Afra, 63, who lived in the tony enclave, were found unresponsive inside the blue vehicle submerged in the channel, The Miami-Dade Police Department said in a Wednesday statement.

The ferry operator told police that the vehicle fell overboard around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Hours later, around 9:30 p.m., local fire rescue scanners reported the current was so strong that crews decided to “abandon trying to float the vehicle” until 10:30 p.m., according to the Miami Herald.

After an exhaustive search, authorities recovered the vehicle with both women unresponsive inside.
The police department is conducting the death investigation, and the US Coast Guard is probing how the car fell overboard, according to police.
Afra was busted by Miami-Dade police for DUI in March 2018, a department spokesman confirmed, though further details about the incident weren’t immediately available.

A photo obtained by Local 10 News shows an empty space and a barrier that appears to be crushed at the front of a boat named Pelican.
Witness Robert Berg, who was captaining Jillybird Fishing Charters, told the Herald that the ferry was open at both the front and the back, blocked off by only a chain to keep cars and people on board.


Brahms and Afra were pictured together attending a private opening and cocktail reception at the Upper East Side’s Mnuchin Gallery in 2017.

Afra has also been pictured at various high-profile events in Florida, including a Food Network & Cooking Channel wine and food festival, and an Italian high-fashion exhibit opening.

A woman who answered the door of the Brahms address in the exclusive Sterling Ridge neighborhood of Harrison — a $1.8 million dollar mansion, according to online realtor listings — declined to speak to The Post on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s a terrible tragedy,” she said, shutting the door. “I really can’t say anything else right now.”

The Fisher Island Club, accessible only by ferry or private yacht, “is consistently ranked as one of the wealthiest zip codes in the U.S.,” according to its website.

“To board the ferry, hotel guests require pre-arranged security clearance, guaranteeing security and exclusivity,” the website says. “From the moment you board the ferry, a wave of calm overtakes you, as you know the luxury, beauty and ultimate lifestyle that await you.”

The retreat’s famous residents have included Oprah Winfrey, Mel Brooks and tennis great Boris Becker, according to Forbes.

Roberto Sosa, president and CEO of the Fisher Island Community Association, confirmed the deaths in a statement.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the tragic loss of life of Emma Afra and Vivian Brahms who perished on Tuesday, Feb. 18, when the car they were riding on the ferry ended up in the water for reasons still to be determined,” said Sosa.

“The entire Fisher Island community mourns their loss and our hearts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones at this very difficult time,” continued Sosa. “We continue to cooperate fully with the US Coast Guard and other government agencies.”

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Mixd

Duppy Maker
BGOL Investor
OK so let me predict the future, even tho they probably didn't put the car in park or she sat on the ferry with the car still in drive while the car was in gear, let her foot off the gas while talking and forgot.

So... Fast forward, her estate will probably sue for failure to have proper signage or securing of the vehicles while the ferry is in motion.

And because of, ________ privilege, they'll win of course.
 

thundercat

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Fell off? They likely drove off. If your engine is off with your parking brake up, you're not "falling off".
 

comment101

Rising Star
Platinum Member
They do this same shit in Venice....I was baffled as to the lack of protection. Since it's made of multiple islands, they use ferries to transport people and their cars to other cities.
 
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