The state Department of Land and Natural Resources on Monday continued to investigate Sunday’s collision between two personal watercraft in Keehi Lagoon that sent two tourists to the hospital, including one in critical condition.
The younger of the two — a 16-year-old girl from Northern California — was in critical condition Monday at the Queen’s Medical Center. Her mother said the girl’s watercraft was rammed from behind.
The other rider, a 20-year-old man, was taken to a hospital in serious condition following the crash, which occurred between 1:30 and 1:45 p.m., DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward said.
Both riders had rented the watercraft from Aloha Jet Ski, Ward said.
Since 2004 there have been only two reports of collisions of personal watercraft across the islands, Ward said. Both were nonfatal. But she said there could have been more unreported accidents.
Ward declined to provide details of Sunday’s crash because it remains under investigation.
Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Gary Lum said Aloha Jet Ski personnel brought the injured riders back to the boat ramp.
Glenn Cohen, the owner of Aloha Jet Ski, said Sunday’s crash was “the first time I have ever experienced anything like that.”
Cohen said he helped pull the 16-year-old girl from the waters of Keehi Lagoon but declined to go into details.
“My main concern is with the poor girl and her family,” Cohen said. “That’s all I care about. I hope she’s OK. My heart goes out to the family. She’s a 16-year-old girl, a very nice girl, who went through a horrific accident. It was very hard for me to watch.”
The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii was helping the girl’s family.
