Two minors were operating a jet ski. The owner's daughter operated the jet ski first for a few laps around the lake. She then switched to let the victim operate. The new operator was not familiar with jet ski operation. The operator (and victim) were operating for a few minutes when the jet ski accelerated toward the shoreline. She tried to turn the jet ski around but in doing so took her thumb off the throttle and the jet ski continued to go straight, into a rock sea wall. The passenger tried to pull the lanyard but was unsuccessful. The passenger rolled off the watercraft as it was approaching the rock wall and tried to pull the operator off but was unsuccessful. In Connecticut, anyone under the age of 16 is required to not only have a certificate allowing them to operate a PWC but have an adult (over 18) who also has their certificate onboard to supervise the minor. The owner of the PWC was issued an infraction for allowing a minor to illegally operate a PWC. The victim suffered a pelvic fracture/dislocation, bruises, and scratches.
Newtown                       