EnConn police investigating after unmanned Jet Ski hits child on beach at Indian Well State Park
First responders were called to Indian Well State Park in Shelton on Sunday after three people fell off a Jet Ski but the vessel continued to shore and hit a child playing in the sand.
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An investigation is underway after a little girl was hit by an unmanned Jet Ski in Shelton Sunday afternoon, according to Connecticut Environmental Conservation police, who said the child is expected to be OK after being rushed to the hospital.
It happened at Indian Well State Park around 4:20 p.m. Three people were on a Jet Ski and fell off, but the Jet Ski kept going, police said.
Paul Pisacane, of Bridgeport, witnessed it all.
“I never seen anything like it,” Pisacane told News 12. “The second I saw those girls fall off the Jet Ski, I saw it coming straight for the shore, and it looked like bad news.”
EnConn Officer Jordan Jacquo said the Jet Ski continued through the swim area and onto the beach, hitting a little girl playing in the sand.
“We haven't gotten the report yet on whether or not she had any broken bones, but she wasn't in serious or critical condition,” said Jacquo, adding that the child didn’t have to spend the night at the hospital.
The investigation is ongoing so police would not release details of their findings so far, including whether or not the Jet Ski driver was wearing the kill switch.
“The operator should always be wearing their kill switch, so meaning if they fall off or something happens on the vessel, they fall down, the engine automatically cuts off,” Jacquo stressed. “But I can say that it could be momentum as well, depending on how close they were to the beach.”
One of the people on the jet ski also went to the hospital with minor injuries, according to Jacquo.
“This is an accident. Accidents do happen, but there are things we can learn from the accident, things to remember when we're on a vessel,” Jacquo said.
That includes paying attention to how many people are on a boat or Jet Ski.
“Every vessel has a capacity plate that basically tells you how many people can be in or on the vessel. Most times Jet Skis are around three people,” Jacquo told News 12, though he said he didn’t know the capacity for this specific Jet Ski.
He also wanted to remind people that the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection mandates anyone operating a boat or Jet Ski must take a state-approved boating safety course to get certified.
“Know your limitations and the vessel's limitations,” Jacquo said.
PRIOR COVERAGE: Out-of-control Jet Ski strikes child at Indian Well State Park in Shelton
