Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

17-Year-Old Killed, 16-Year-Old Critically Injured in Lake St. Clair Watercraft Crash

Police investigators have appealed for witnesses to a personal watercraft crash that claimed one teen’s life, a development prompting safety advocates to cite a spike in summer water fatalities.

An OPP officer and vehicle in Lakeshore. File photo (Dax Melmer/The Windsor Star)
An Ontario Provincial Police patch is seen in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Overview

  • A single personal watercraft carrying four teenage girls crashed near Couture Beach on Lake St. Clair at about 2 p.m. on Aug. 14.
  • A 17-year-old Essex County resident was rescued by first responders but later died at hospital from her injuries.
  • A 16-year-old victim was airlifted to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries; two other teens aged 15 and 17 were treated for non-critical injuries and are expected to recover.
  • Rescue efforts were conducted by the Lakeshore OPP detachment, Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services, Lakeshore Fire Rescue and nearby residents.
  • Essex County OPP marine and traffic incident teams have opened an investigation and urged anyone with information to contact Lakeshore OPP, while safety groups highlight a recent rise in water-related deaths.