Children among 5 injured when jet skis collide on Mountain Island Lake, rescuers say

Children were among the people hurt in a Mother’s Day boating mishap on Mountain Island Lake, according to the Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department in Mount Holly.

Identities of the victims and the extent of their injuries have not been released.

It happened around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, when two jet skis crashed into each other on the lake, the department said in a news release.

“There were five patients with multiple injuries, including children,” officials said. “Thankfully, everyone was removed from the water and transported by GEMS (Gaston County EMS) to be treated.”

Jet skis are made of fiberglass and travel between across the water at 40 and 70 mph, experts say.

The cause of the crash was not released, but a photo shows the impact was forceful enough to rip parts from one jet ski.

Mountain Island Lake is about 12 miles northwest of Uptown Charlotte and is a popular destination water reaction on weekends.

The Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department reports it has responded to four calls of mishaps on the lake in four weeks. Among the mishaps was a drowning that occurred April 19, according to WCNC.

This story was originally published May 15, 2023 at 5:36 AM with the headline "Children among 5 injured when jet skis collide on Mountain Island Lake, rescuers say."