Murray River jetski tragedy: ‘The mother was screaming’

Witnesses have described the moment a 14-year-old boy was pulled ashore after he was fatally hit by a jetski on the Murray River near Blanchetown.

Local residents have described the moment they stumbled upon a tragedy unfolding along the Murray River, where a 14-year-old boy was struck and killed by a jetski.

Bob Dinham and his son David were collecting water in Murbko, near Blanchetown, on Thursday when they witnessed the frantic efforts of people trying to resuscitate the Roxby Downs boy.

He had been swimming near Echidna Ave, about 2.20pm, with another child when he was hit.

“A police car went roaring down the road and when we got down we saw people trying to do some compressions and resuscitation,” Mr Dinham said.

The pair said they had been down to the same spot just 30 minutes earlier.

“It was quiet and peaceful, we didn’t see or hear a jetski, but I’m assuming the incident happened in between the first time we came up and then went back down,” he said.

Locals David Dinham and his father, Bob, witnessed the efforts to save the boy, 14. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Another witness, who did not want to be identified, said he also saw the commotion.

“I turned around and saw a canoe overturned, a jetski floating down the river and boy being pulled from the water,” he said.

“The mother was screaming and everyone else was crying.”

A 43 year-old Craigmore man has been charged with aggravated cause death by dangerous driving.

It is understood he was staying with a group of people at a property on the riverbank for a Christmas party.

Police are investigating whether speed, alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash.

“I just can’t understand how it happened … the children were only swimming about 15 feet off the bank,” the witness said.

Mr Dinham said there had been many accidents along the river, but nothing seemed to change.

“I’ve had a go at the cops, I’ve had a go at water police about putting a speed limit on the river, but they just tell me to speak to the politicians, they only enforce the rules,” he said.

“Jetskis are pests … they’re just toys. There were two people racing them in the same spot the day before.”

Murray Bridge Police Superintendent Scott Denny said the tragedy highlighted the dangers posed by boats and jetskis.

“If you own or operate any sort of watercraft, it is no different to driving a vehicle on a road, but unlike cars they are not fitted with the same safety equipment and do not have brakes like a car would,” he said.

“The rules are very clear and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are conversant with the laws and that you also comply with those laws.”

Sup Denny said the incident had sent shockwaves through the river community.

“The reaction from everybody involved is nothing but shock and a large degree of stress,” he said.

“That goes from the police who attended, paramedics, emergency service volunteers, members of the public and of course the family of the young boy.”

White Sands Riverfront Caravan Park owner Russell Hinds said he banned jetskis from the park, south of Murray Bridge, over 15 years ago.

“It was the best decision we made, jetskis don’t work with anything else on the water and a lot of people riding them are inexperienced,” he said.

“With the most powerful jetskis, anyone who has got a boat licence can jump on one from the age of 16.

“We see Sea-Doos come past here at 100km/h and at that speed it’s not a surprise that there’s a disaster on the end of it.”