Two people drowned to death after a boat capsized off of Martha’s Vineyard on New Year’s Day.

“Our thoughts and heartful condolences are with the families and loved ones during this difficult time,” Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois wrote in a statement. “Martha’s Vineyard has lost two pillars of their community which will be deeply felt.”

Police received a 911 call shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday reporting that a boat had capsized about a half-mile off of Edgartown.

Emergency responders from Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Tisbury as well as the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene, where they found two people unresponsive and not breathing.

Responders transported Patricia Bergeron, 69, and Roy Scheffer, 77, both of Edgartown, to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, where both were pronounced dead following “extensive lifesaving efforts.”

Investigators believe the tragedy was “a horrible accident with no signs of foul play,” possibly attributed to sudden weather conditions just before the 911 call that produced high winds in the area leading to sea swells of six feet and 20 wind knots.

The investigation remains open.