BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. — A holiday outing on the Colorado River in Arizona left three people injured and one dead after they were struck by an out-of-control jet ski.
The accident happened near Bullhead City in Mohave County. Police say a woman lost control of the jet ski and careened into the swimmer-only area of the river.
Bullhead City police said 43-year-old Ricardo Aponte Almanza of Corona died Wednesday afternoon at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.
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They said Almanza was one of four people injured Monday after getting struck by a rented jet ski that a 26-year-old Las Vegas woman was operating.
Police said the woman reportedly lost control of the jet ski and it entered a designated area at Community Park where the four victims were swimming.
All four were rushed to a Bullhead City hospital and Almanza was later flown to a Nevada trauma center.
A 21-year-old Las Vegas man remains hospitalized in Nevada while two other victims were treated and released, according to authorities.
Prior to the accident, police said the woman watched a safety video for jet ski renters as required by city law and wore a signed wristband to signify that she understood how to operate the watercraft.
The crash is still under investigation, according to police.
Drowning Prevention Tips:
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four-sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be separate from the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.
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