Two teens, who crashed their jet ski into a boat and were suffering critical injuries Tuesday evening, have died, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
The identities of two teen girls were released Thursday, June 20, 2024, as Sarina Vootkur, age 16, of Lake Forest, California; and Elle Kim, age 13, of Long Grove, Illinois. On Thursday, June 20, 2024, autopsies were conducted at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Autopsy results indicate that both girls died from blunt force injuries suffered as a result of the crash.
Initial CARDINAL NEWS Report on Wednesday — after the fatal watercraft crash occurred Tuesday night …
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Conservation Police are investigating an evening jet ski crash that resulted in the deaths of two children in Lake Marie — southwest of downtown Antioch, and about two miles south of the Illinois-Wisconsin state line.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Unit and Patrol Division and firefighters and fire agency boat crews responded about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024 to a report of a jet ski versus boat crash that occurred on Lake Marie with the victims rescued by civilians and transported by boats to the Sandbar on Lake Marie (a bar & grill). A 16-year-old girl from Lake Forest, California and a 13-year-old girl from Long Grove were on the jet ski, and both were killed in the crash.
The identities of the victims were not initially released Wednesday.
Witnesses reported the jet ski was traveling at a high rate of speed, directly toward the Sea Ray. The operator of the Sea Ray was unable to avoid a collision, and the two watercrafts struck each other. Both occupants of the jet ski, who were wearing life vests, were knocked unconscious and thrown into the water. There were a total of four occupants on the Sea Ray and they immediately pulled the girls from the water, called 911, and rendered aid. One of the girls was transported to the shore by the operator of the Sea Ray and the other girl was transported by the operator of another passing boat.
Initial radio report at about 5:21 p.m. indicated the rescue of the teen girls by civilians was moving to the Sandbar on Lake Marie (a bar and grill). Ambulances were dispatched to the Sandbar on Lake Marie (bar and grill).
The girls were transported to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, and both were pronounced deceased after arriving at Condell. No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
Preliminary investigation shows the 16-year-old was operating the Yamaha jet ski and the 13-year-old was the passenger. They were traveling in a northerly direction near the channel to Grass Lake, just north of the Elime Road Peninsula. At the same time a Sea Ray Cabin Cruiser, being operated by a 55-year-old man of Antioch was traveling westbound in the same area, approaching the Grass Lake Channel.
The jet ski is believed to be a Yamaha Waverunner. According to personal watercraft (PWC) website JetDrift, a variety of Yamaha Waverunner models are capable of top speeds of 50 MPH to 67 MPH.
Horsepower ranges from 100 to 250, and the MSRP for the watercraft ranges from $7799 to $20,399.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office scheduled an autopsy for Thursday morning.
The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Illinois Conservation Police
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office extended condolences to the families of the girls and others involved in this tragic boat crash.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
facebook …
Please ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor
THANKS FOR READING CARDINAL NEWS
Sandbar on Lake Marie …