Jet-ski tragedy

Superintendent Donald Faulds, Sutherland Shire Police Area Command, comments on fatal jet-ski accident at Sylvania

Transcript

00:00Good afternoon, my name is Superintendent Don Coles, Police Area Commander at Southland Shire Command.

00:07What were you called to last night? Who first spotted this boy and the trouble in the water?

00:12We got a call just after 6pm last night from a member of the public believing they'd seen somebody in the water,

00:17or floating in the water near Tom Uglis Bridge.

00:20As a result of that there was a response from New South Wales Police and New South Wales Ambulance to that location.

00:26As a result of that one of our officers and New South Wales Ambulance Paramedics entered the ward to retrieve that person,

00:34who was still conscious, brought back to the boat ramp there and treated by the Paramedics of New South Wales Ambulance.

00:44You're treating this as a collision with something in the water, can you just describe the circumstances, how they ended up in that water?

00:50We believe they were on a jet ski that was owned by one of the families.

00:54We don't know what they've collided with at this stage. There's ongoing inquiries.

00:58The Marine Area Command are looking at all different areas of the investigation,

01:03whether it was something to do with the bridge, something that was maybe submerged, or another item nearby.

01:08That will obviously form a part of that investigation and obviously the coroner's report.

01:13And part of that jet ski, was that retrieved earlier today?

01:17So there was a lot of debris last night. A lot of it went to the jet ski. That's where it has been recovered.

01:23The actual main part of the jet ski has not been recovered at this stage, but those activities have been undertaken today.

01:31And how would you describe the efforts of the police in Paramedics?

01:36From my perspective, absolutely amazing effort by both New South Wales Police and New South Wales Ambulance.

01:42Both officers here jumped into the water at night. Very murky conditions, very scary.

01:49There's a lot of fuel in the water as well, and unknown what else could have been in the water at the time.

01:55They've raced out, secured the young person board and safety back to be sure.

02:00From my perspective, very, very brave effort by doing that.

02:05Have you had any update on the injury from this?

02:09Yes, so the update from the hospital today is that the young person is in stable condition.

02:15I don't know much more than that at this stage.

02:18Were the boys equipped with life jackets?

02:22From the information that I have, both were wearing life jackets.

02:24And I believe that may have been a contributing factor in one of the young person survived and staying in the water.

02:32Is it your understanding that both the boys had experience on these dead spirits?

02:37I can't comment on that. I'm not aware of what experience they've had with that watercraft.

02:41Again, that would form part of the investigation.

02:43I know this isn't your particular investigation, but are charges possible down the line when this investigation is carried out?

02:50Again, I'd hate to speculate on that. Not knowing where that investigation will lead the investigators.

02:56Hard to comment on something like that.

02:59How would you describe such an incident?

03:02It's a tragedy. My sympathies go out to, obviously, the family and the friends of the two young persons.

03:07It's a tragic, unexpected incident to occur. Deeply feel for the family and condolences go out to them.