HIGHLANDS A jet ski accident involving 5 friends, took the life of a 21 year old man last Sunday afternoon at Banana Bend Beach.
According to Capt. Don Stanton of the Sheriffs Marine Division, two young men on a jet ski were towing an inner tube with two others on it.
A second jet ski, driven by a friend of theirs, followed but lost control and ran into the tube. The result was that the two men on the tube were thrown into the water. One resurfaced, but the other lost his life vest, and did not.
Emergency personnel were called about 11:50 on Sunday morning, and after an extensive search by two patrol boats, the body surfaced and was recovered about 1:24 according to Stanton.
Witnesses said that the boy that survived received CPR at the site, but did not require transport to a hospital.
The victim is a 21 year old Hispanic male, but his name has not been released.
Standing by to aid in the recovery were the Highlands EMS and Fire Department, and ESD#5 EMS from Crosby.
The deputy said that preliminary investigation indicated that the driver of the second Jet Ski was not familiar with its operation, contributing to the accident. Other factors such as alcohol are being investigated.
No charges have been filed in the accident, Stanton said.