Parents lose their only two children after boy, 7, and girl, 9, were thrown into water during boating trip when grandpa, 63, struck marker

By JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:05, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 14:18, 23 July 2026 A New Jersey couple lost both their children in a boating accident after the youngsters were flung from a boat being driven by their grandfather. Sigmund and Jennifer Golabek lost daughter Mya, 9, and son Sigmund, 7, after the children's grandfather Steven Schneider struck a channel marker on Sunday while boating off Berkeley Township, New Jersey.   State police said that Steven, 63, was behind the wheel of the 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 at the time of the collision, with the force throwing the siblings into the water. Their grandfather and grandmother Laurie Schneider, 64, desperately pulled the two back aboard but officials in the Garden State said the two were unresponsive. The death of the two has left their parents grief stricken, with the children described in their obituaries as being 'fun-loving' and 'adventurous'. Mya's said: 'Mya Bella Golabek entered this world and brought a light that touched everyone around her.  'In her 9 beautiful years, she filled the lives of her family and friends with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.' It went on to describe her as 'sweet, fun-loving' who had a 'beautiful smile, kind heart, and joyful personality'. Sigmund's obituary added: 'His sweet smile, gentle heart, and playful spirit brought happiness to everyone around him.' Mya Golabek, 9, and her brother Sigmund, 7, both died when the boat they were on with their grandparents hit a channel marker on Sunday State police said that their grandfather Steven, 63, was behind the wheel of the boat at the time of the collision, with the force throwing the two into the water It added: 'Although Siggy’s time here was much too short, the love he gave and the memories he created will remain forever.  'He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, teammates, and all who were blessed to know him. 'A sibling bond is a love that lasts forever. Mya and Siggy were not only brother and sister, but best friends who shared laughter, adventures, and countless memories.  'Now they continue their journey together, hand in hand, carrying their love beyond this world and leaving behind a beautiful reminder of the unbreakable bond they shared.' Sources told Jersey Shore Online that prior to getting on the boat, the family had been inside MJ's Restaurant Bar and Grill.  The children were raced to the hospital following the crash where state police said they were pronounced deceased.   A statement said: 'On July 19, at approximately 9:09 pm, troopers responded to the report of a serious vessel crash in the Berkeley Township Bay Area. 'Based on a preliminary investigation, a Tidewater Custom 280 30-foot vessel, while traveling through the Intercoastal Waterway, struck an Intercoastal Waterway channel marker, causing a 9-year-old juvenile female and a 7-year-old juvenile male to be ejected into the water.  An obituary said: 'Mya and Siggy were not only brother and sister, but best friends who shared laughter, adventures, and countless memories.' The New Jersey State Police said they are still continuing to investigate the collision  A channel marker is seen here in waters off Berkeley Township 'The operator, Stephen Schneider, a 63-year-old male from Bayville, NJ, and occupant Laurie Schneider, a 64-year-old female from Bayville, located the juveniles unresponsive in the water.  'The juveniles were transported to an area hospital, where they were pronounced deceased. 'This vessel crash remains under investigation, and no additional information is available.' A Meal Train has since been organized for the family of the children, a post to the donation page said: 'Thank you everyone for your OVERWHELMING support.  'We have received an abundance of donations for the family and cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity. At this time, keeping the family in your prayers is an amazing way to support them.'