Four Hospitalized Following Crash Between Jet Ski and Boat
GILCHRIST COUNTY, FL- Gilchristcountyjournal.net writes that a crash between a jet ski and a boat led to multiple injuries this week in Gilchrist County. The two vessels were on the Santa Fe River when the rider on the jet ski jumped a wake left from one boat and entered the path of another vessel. The boat then crashed into a wooden dock located at a Holly Springs residence.*
The late afternoon crash involved a 2002 Yamaha Jet Ski and a 21 foot Sportsman bay boat. Reports indicate that the person operating the boat attempted to avoid the crash, but was unable to, and as there was not enough space or time to complete an evasive action. Three people were on the boat at the time, and when the vessel struck the dock, all of them were thrown into the water. Those individuals were identified as a 44-year-old man, a 43-year-old woman, and a fourteen-year-old boy. The three family members all suffered injuries in the incident and were transported to the North Florida Hospital for treatment.
The jet ski was located by a Good Samaritan, and witnesses were able to pull the man who had been riding the personal watercraft out of the river. That individual was identified as a 35-year-old man from Lake City. Responders transported the victim to the Shands Hospital via airlift. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the man was rushed in for emergency surgery. The day after the crash, he was said to be recovering in the Intensive Care Unit.
One local stated that it is not uncommon for boats to travel at high rates of speed on the river despite the fact that it is narrow.
The FWC is continuing its investigation into the accident.
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Source:
https://gilchristcountyjournal.net/2020/06/jet-ski-vs-boat-accident-on-the-santa-fe-sends-four-to-the-hospital/