Family outing turns fatal as 16-year-old twins crash into mother’s jet | World | News

A French mother tragically lost her life last weekend when her 16-year-old twin daughters crashed into her jet ski during a family outing in Arcachon Bay. The family, from Angouleme, had been enjoying a day out under the supervision of an instructor in the bay, located on France’s southwestern coast, approximately 41 miles southwest of Bordeaux.

The mother was riding with her partner on one jet ski while her twin daughters were on another. Disaster struck when the two jet skis collided, resulting in serious head injuries for the mother.

Her partner, 48, and twin daughters sustained minor injuries in the accident but were also taken to hospital due to shock. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, the 47-year-old woman sadly passed away a few hours later from her injuries.

According to French law, individuals must be at least 16 years old and possess a boating license or be supervised by a qualified instructor to operate a jet ski, as was the case for the family that fateful Sunday.

The collision occurred around 7 pm local time, leading to all parties being launched from their jet skis and subsequently transported to a hospital in Bordeaux, with the mother airlifted due to the severity of her injuries, reports the Mirror US.

The family’s use of helmets at the time of the accident remains unclear. According to Sud Ouest, jet ski rentals in Arcachon are typically speed-limited, but the exact speed of the devices during the incident is unknown.

The publication also revealed that no charges have been brought in relation to the woman’s death as no criminal fault was identified.

Jet ski accidents, while uncommon in France, are on the rise, reports Sud Ouest. In 2023 alone, there were 55 rescue operations following jet ski accidents, a significant increase from the 34 recorded in 2022.

These incidents occurred along the Atlantic coast, spanning nearly 480 miles from the small commune of Penmarc’h in northwestern France to the Spanish border, an area serviced by CROSS-A Etel, a coast guard service.

In recent years, jet ski regulations have become increasingly prevalent. Sud Ouest reports that in Arcachan, jet skis are prohibited from launching from their slipways between June 15 and September 15 each year “to preserve the peace and public security within the port’s perimeter.”

Despite strong opposition from private stakeholders, these regulations appear to be here to stay. However, it remains to be seen whether they will improve safety and address the noise complaints associated with these machines.

It is also uncertain whether these regulations could have prevented the tragic incident involving the mother and her family.