– teens killed in jet ski boat crash Illinois lake
– tragic accident involving teens jet ski boat crash Illinois lake.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Two teenage girls tragically lost their lives while riding a jet ski on a lake in Illinois after colliding with a boat on Tuesday. The victims have been identified as Elle Kim, a 13-year-old girl from Long Grove, Illinois, and Sarina Vootkur, a 16-year-old girl from Lake Forest, California, according to reports from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and CBS News.
An ongoing investigation by the sheriff’s office and the Illinois Conservation Police is currently underway to determine the cause of the accident. Authorities reported that the older girl was operating a Yamaha jet ski on Lake Marie in Antioch, with the 13-year-old as a passenger. The pair was travelling north near the channel to Grass Lake when the tragic incident occurred.
At the same time, a 55-year-old man was piloting a Sea Ray Cabin Cruiser in the same area. According to the sheriff’s office, the man was travelling westbound when the collision occurred with the jet ski.
Eyewitnesses at the scene stated that the jet ski was moving at a high speed towards the boat, and the man driving the boat was unable to avoid the crash, resulting in the collision. Both occupants of the jet ski, who were wearing life vests, were knocked unconscious and thrown into the water following the impact. The four occupants of the Sea Ray immediately pulled the girls from the water, called emergency services, and provided assistance.
The operator of the Sea Ray, along with another boat operator, assisted in bringing each girl to the shore. Deputies arrived at the scene shortly after 5:00 p.m. The girls sustained blunt force injuries and were rushed to a local hospital, where they later succumbed to their wounds. Fortunately, no one else was injured in the incident, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office expressed their condolences to the families of the victims.
Boater Randy Chimola shared his perspective on the tragic event, highlighting the young age and inexperience of the girls involved. He emphasized the lack of control on the water compared to driving on a road, describing the situation as frightening.
The community is mourning the loss of these two young lives, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of Elle Kim and Sarina Vootkur during this difficult time.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. For enquiries, please contact tardrey@gannett.com..
teens dead following jet ski boat crash Illinois lake
jet ski boat crash Illinois lake.
