A jet ski crashed into a tree in Groveland Tuesday night, leaving two teens injured.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officials said three people were on board the jet ski when it hit the tree. All of them were thrown off.
C was heading home on his boat on Lake Hiawatha when he noticed blue lights coming from his neighborhood.
“That’s when we noticed somebody on shore actually, like, waving us down,” C said.
He saw teenagers in the water near a tree and initially thought they were stuck.
“When we got closer, I seen the big chunk out of the tree, and the jet ski was all smashed in the front. One kid was kind of in and out of consciousness in the water,” C said.
He said the fact that the water was shallow helped.
“Another kid had (gotten) hurt — his right leg was damaged pretty good, and the other kid, kind of nothing really happened to him,” C said.
C realized he knew the teens, including his daughter’s boyfriend.
“It didn’t change anything for me. I mean, it was get the kids help and get them to safety,” C said.
C, who served as a firefighter for more than a decade, jumped into action. He first helped the teen who was in and out of consciousness.
“Because I didn’t want him to sink anymore, so I grabbed him and threw him up on the back of my boat and then carefully took the other one with the leg injury and set him on the back of the boat,” C said.
He transported the teens to the community dock, where fire and EMS crews were waiting.
“We just happened to be at the right place at the time to help out,” C said.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officials confirmed that two people were taken to the hospital.
Residents in a neighborhood off State Road 50 said they saw two helicopters land in a ballfield across the street. Video from the scene shows ambulances arriving, at least one person being unloaded, and helicopters taking off.
C’s daughter said she went to the hospital Tuesday night to see her boyfriend after learning about the crash.
“I was crying my eyes out. It was very scary, and I just instantly called the mom to let her know,” Taylen C said.
She returned to the hospital Wednesday.
“I think he’ll end up getting through it. It’s just going to take a very long time,” she said.
C said the night could have ended very differently.
“Lucky. Very lucky. All of them are,” he said.
FWC couldn’t give an update Wednesday on the condition of the two people taken to the hospital. It said the crash is still under investigation.
Watercraft accidents involving jet skis and personal watercraft are increasingly common on busy waterways. These smaller vessels are powerful and maneuverable but can be dangerous when operated irresponsibly. Ovadia Law Group helps victims injured in personal watercraft accidents pursue justice and compensation. A knowledgeable watercraft accident attorney will investigate whether the operator followed speed limits, kept a proper lookout, and maintained control of the vessel. Many jet ski accidents involve collisions with other boats or swimmers, leading to serious injuries. Insurance issues can be complex, especially when rental companies are involved. Our legal team handles these challenges so clients can focus on recovery. Ovadia Law Group believes negligent operators should be held accountable for the harm they cause. If a jet ski or personal watercraft accident caused your injuries, call us at 1‑800‑674‑9396 for a free consultation.
Source: Wesh
