Yet another tragedy - in Delaware

[gerryb]

No sure what happened in this case earlier today but I bet excessive speed had a factor in it.

http://6abc.com/news/ariz-man-78-killed-in-del-boating-accident-/1516054/

 

[Sled600]

My heart goes out to all concerned....but I will admit that as I was reading a PWC and Pontoon boat..... my mind did not put the 78 yo operator on the PWC. I hope someone learns from this tragedy.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I did the same thing--put the 78 year old man on the toon. I wonder how much experience the guy from AZ had driving a PWC.

 

[scoflaw]

I wouldn't rule out suicide.

 

[dpmulvey]

I wouldn't rule out suicide.

Wow! Wasn't expecting that. I was thinking stroke or heart attack.

 

[scoflaw]

Wow! Wasn't expecting that. I was thinking stroke or heart attack.

Not a dead mans throttle on jet skis, you need a decent amount of hand pressure to keep the throttle pinned

 

[trflgrl]

I wouldn't rule out suicide.

Wow! Wasn't expecting that. I was thinking stroke or heart attack.

Not a dead mans throttle on jet skis, you need a decent amount of hand pressure to keep the throttle pinned

I agree that it takes pretty good pressure, but I don't want to think a person with a death wish would choose to ram a vessel with people in it rather than a bridge pillar, dam wall, or similar fixed object. Other than it being an inexperienced or negligent operator misjudging speed and surroundings or just plain not paying attention (or even operating under the influence), my first thought was medical event/seizure where his hand might have locked up on the throttle and he wasn't capable of correcting course.

How horrible for the pontoon folks and the family of the PWC operator.

 

[SCORPIO]

This happened a few miles from my marina. I saw pics this morning of the damage to the pontoon, major FUBAR to that vessel. No details yet but I'm wondering why a 78 to man from AZ was riding a jet ski. The area where it happened is a very crowded and shallow area.