...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

[Bigprairie1]

...we got detoured yesterday from our usual access to the local lake due to a Medivac Chopper landing on the South End road to fly out a PWC rider who was delivered up to that clearing by local paramedics.
I guess what happened is a bunch of younger guys were using a Wakesetter with a bunch of ballast to create a super wake for these (2) Jetski PWC'ers. Well, one of them came off early after jumping the wake and either he got hit square on with his own machine or his buddy brained him with his machine.
Either way, he was pretty much dead instantly. I know these guys somewhat and they frequent the small marine I use. Well they called the marina owner and he said it was quite a mess down there...a lot of blood. Anyways, I was just getting down there when the group were (very slowly) pulling in with their Wakesetter....pretty sombre bunch, short of one buddy. At that point, the RCMP took over in talking to the driver of the other PWC as well as the driver of the Wakesetter.
Too bad....but unfortunately thats what most PWC's get used for and thats the demographic that does it.
No good news in this one.
BP

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

We talk so much about people being unsafe, not wearing a PFD, drinking or drugs, or what ever reason but it doesn't make it any less tragic. Hate to hear it!! Keeps me aware to the best of my ability. Tragic story.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

Very tragic indeed.

Jeff.

 

[SoFloStone]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

Were they riding stand-ups or couches?

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

Were they riding stand-ups or couches?

They were the sit on 'couch' or 'seat' style. One of them was a pretty big machine. I saw them being towed in, one behind the other, to one of the boat ramps for the waiting RCMP. I guess they were needed for some type of forensic evidence or something?
I was wondering if they made the PWC riders wear helmets, like motorcyclists, if it would make a difference to these kind of results?
BP

 

[SoFloStone]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

I was wondering if they made the PWC riders wear helmets, like motorcyclists, if it would make a difference to these kind of results?
BP

The reason I was asking, is that most standup riders that are out doing tricks use helmets for this very reason, especially in the ocean.

In Daytona Beach Florida it is mandatory to use helmets when riding any PWC in the PWC designated surf zone, which is probably not a bad idea to have.

Makes you wonder what the h3ll happened to have a 700-1000 pound PWC land on someones head....

Regardless, very tragic to say the least...

 

[QC]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

I've actually given CPR in the water to a dead 16 year old from a head on PWC vs. PWC accident. Also delivered him to the Paramedics. Not a pretty sight, and I share only to add reality to these situations

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

...Well, funeral was yesterday for this young guy. I guess his buddies are having a pretty hard time with the last moments of their friends life. I guess there was blood everywhere. He was bleeding from his mouth, his nose, and his ears and every time his heart pumped they knew it by the amount of blood that came from his head. (sorry about the graphic inference there). They were all around him with one of them holding him when it was physically becoming clear, he was no longer of this world anymore.
Makes me think of your comments QC of trying to revive that guy with CPR....what an awful experience to have to go through.
Should PWC'ers have to wear helmets? I was wondering about this and talking about this with some of the other guys up at the marina.
If you have to wear helmet to ride a 150hp motorbike, should you have to wear one to ride a 250hp PWC?
Hopefully the least that comes from that is 5 young guys becoming a lot more cautious throughout the rest of their lives with watersports.
Anywhooooo.
BP

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

Fatal PWC accident here in West Michigan today.

SPRING LAKE, Mich (WOOD) - One person died and two others were injured after a power boat collided with a jet ski in Stahl's Bayou Saturday evening.

Investigators said the 15-year-old driver of the jet ski, a boy from Spring Lake, was pronounced dead at the scene. His two female passengers were taken to area hospitals. One of the passengers, a 16-year-old Chicago-area girl, lost her leg in the crash. She is in critical condition. The other passenger was reportedly doing well.

"It's just a very tough situation," said Lt. Steve Kempker of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department, "We have a death here of a very young person."

None of the five teenagers on the power boat was injured.

Investigators said the 15-year-old driver of the boat did have his boater safety certification.

Rescuers were called to the scene at around 7:10 p.m. Saturday after the collision was reported. Investigators said the driver of the power boat was making a large turn when he hit the jet ski.

The mother of the teenager that died was on the scene. His father had to drive to the scene from out of town. Adding to the stress of the situation, the father's tire blew out on the highway as he traveled. A Michigan State Police trooper picked him up and drove him the rest of the way.

Investigators say the people on the boat and the people on the jet ski knew each other.

The accident reports will be forwarded to the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office to determine rather or not charges will be filed in this incident. Investigators say they do not believe alcohol played a role in the crash.

The identities of those involved have not been released.

 

[SoFloStone]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

Makes me think of your comments QC of trying to revive that guy with CPR....what an awful experience to have to go through.

I too have had to give CPR to a Scuba Diver that had a heart attack while I was on a charter boat with Students. Although It was a tragic situation, the Diver was properly trained at one stage, and he knew the inherent risks involved in diving/water activities...

Should PWC'ers have to wear helmets? I was wondering about this and talking about this with some of the other guys up at the marina.
If you have to wear helmet to ride a 150hp motorbike, should you have to wear one to ride a 250hp PWC?

Yes, we could try an legislate common sense into the masses, but ultimately their own safety lies in their own hands. Should we make PFD's mandatory for all people that are on any vessel regardless of size? this would save lives also?

Why is a 15 year old allowed on a 150-250 hp PWC when he is not legally able to operate a 180 hp car on the road?

Ultimately the driver of the PWC took the risks, and unfortunately paid for the consequences with his life, luckily he did not take others with him.

My $.02

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

Holding someone when they die is something no one will ever forget,I havent.

 

[j_martin]

Re: ...Fatal PWC Accident yesterday

Kids take extreme chances if you let them. That's what parenting is all about.

Worst one in my memory is a pack of kids on high powered snowmobiles going nose to tale at 60 mph in 4 inches of fresh powder. First one flamed out, second one hit him, third driver hit the left bank and rolled off, Fourth one launched #3 about 200 feet. All this occurred out of cell phone service, and about an hour away from help by snowmobile. By the time a rider got to a phone and a medivac was brought in, the kid had died from his injuries.

Parents were riding in another pack about a half mile behind.

Bad scene all the way around.

my 02
John