Four hurt — two seriously — after jet boat crash at water skiing event in Robe

Two separate boating incidents in the past 24 hours have left four men fighting for their lives in hospital overnight.

Several men are fighting for their lives in hospital after horror boat crashes in the state within 24 hours.

In the first incident on Saturday, two ski-racing outboard speed boats collided at up to 100km/h in the South-East, during a qualifying event for this year’s world championships.

Spectators watching the event at Robe in which two people were seriously injured after two boats collided early Saturday afternoon. Picture supplied

It came less than 24 hours after a River Murray fishing trip tragedy near Swan Reach, 171km northeast of Adelaide, during which two boats mysteriously overturned.

Detectives are investigating both crashes, which have left four men seriously injured.

Witnesses told the Sunday Mail of their horror after the speed boats crashed at the Fury on the Bay event in Guichen Bay, off Robe.

The crash, at 2.10pm on Saturday, came during the final lap of the hour-long men’s open competition. Up to 6000 spectators had lined the 5km-long course.

The River Murray near Swan Reach.

The driver, 30, and water ski observer, 26, both from Sydney, suffered life-threatening head injuries after their boat “spun out” and became airborne.

Accompanied by a MedSTAR rescue team, they were flown 335km to Royal Adelaide Hospital and Flinders Medical Centre.

They were in a critical condition on Saturday night.

Medstar teams arrive near the scene of the incident at Robe Oval. Picture supplied

It caused the other vessel to crash near the Robe boat ramp. The driver and observer suffered minor bruising while both skiers were uninjured.

Ski Racing Australia chief executive Cameron McConville on Saturday night said all competitors were “highly experienced”.

“It was the last event of the day,” he said.

“Racing will continue (today). At this stage nothing changes.”

Spectators watching the event at Robe in which two people were seriously injured after two boats collided early Saturday afternoon. Picture supplied

On Friday night, a Gawler South man, 37, was in a critical condition in intensive care while a 40-year-old from Gawler East was in a serious but stable condition after the accident on the river at Swan Reach.

Murray Bridge detectives are investigating how a small aluminium dinghy overturned, 10km west of the town’s jetty on Friday night.

After intital confusion, police on Saturday said the boats collided just before 10pm. Friends then rescued the pair who were on a camping trip.