Georges River jetski riders in sights of authorities after crashes
A JETSKI rider allegedly led boating officers on a chase through several Sydney suburbs just hours after a separate incident where a boat and jetski crash left a man seriously injured. Read more about the police pursuit here.
St George Shire Standard
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A JETSKI rider allegedly led boating safety officers on a chase through several Sydney suburbs just hours after a separate incident where a boat and jetski crash left a man seriously injured.
The officers pulled over a jetski rider on the Georges River near Illawong on Saturday as they believed he was allegedly about to commit several offences.
The male jetski rider was allegedly aggressive with officers before fleeing the scene, leading them on a chase through the river from Illawong through Lugarno, Padstow Heights and Picnic Point before coming to a halt in Sandy Point.
Roads and Maritime Services maritime executive director Angus Mitchell said the most serious alleged offences could result in jail time.
“He was allegedly menacing and threatening towards the officers before fleeing the scene,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Our officers are charged with keeping the boating community safe – to see them being threatened is alarming and a cause for concern.”
The man’s jetski was seized, and Mr Mitchell said in the last 12 months the RMS had cancelled approximately 18 licences in relation to various offences on the water.
The chase occurred less than 12 hours after 21-year-old Matt Rowe was seriously injured when his boat collided with a jetski on the Georges River in Illawong at 9.30am.
The keen boater had to be winched from the river by the Westpac Live Saver Rescue Helicopter and remains in St George Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
A 45-year-old man driving the jetski involved in the crash was also hospitalised with back and hand injuries.
The investigation is ongoing but police expect to lay charges in relation to the crash.
“Jetskis were banned in Sydney Harbour and tributaries of the Lane Cove and Parramatta Rivers in 2001,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Jetskis are still permitted on the Georges River and we don’t want the behaviour of an unruly few to impact on the majority who do the right thing.”
Offences under Section 97A have led to several prosecutions for bad behaviour towards boating safety officers since 2016.
A 44-year-old man who threatened to punch a boating safety officer in the face was fined $1800 and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
In a separate incident, a 37-year-old man who allegedly threatened to shoot a boating safety officer was charged and will appear in court in January next year.