Police urge for more information after jet ski crash kills Mitchell Irvine, 15, in Sylvania

Police have made a new plea after a horror jet ski crash claimed the life of 15-year-old Mitchell Irvine and severed the arm of 14-year-old Noah Watkins on Tuesday.

Police are appealing for information after two teenagers riding a jet ski struck an object in the water, killing 15-year-old Mitchell Irvine and severing the arm of 14-year-old Noah Watkins.

Shortly after 6pm Tuesday, the two boys crashed the jet ski in the Georges River near Tom Uglys Bridge in Sylvania.

Police said the jetski likely hit an “obstacle”, throwing the boys into the water.

Police are urging for more information after a 15-year-old was killed and a 14-year-old was injured in a jet ski accident on Tuesday night. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Emergency services found Mitchell in the water, but he could not be saved.

Noah was treated at the scene for a severed arm before he was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital in Westmead, where he remains in a stable condition.

Police are appealing for information to assist with the investigation. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

On Friday, police issued an appeal for information regarding the crash, urging anyone with footage of the incident to come forward.

“Police are appealing for information following a jet ski crash in Sydney’s south earlier this week,” a statement read.

“As inquiries continue, police are appealing to residents who may have CCTV footage overlooking the Georges River, or anyone with relevant information, to contact the Marine Area Command on [phone] or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.”

Friends and classmates gathered to pay respect to the teens. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Schoolmates and friends gathered at the Georges River on Wednesday, paying tribute to the teenagers and laying flowers at the scene.

Family friend Fred Nagi said the boys were “pretty experienced” jet skiers who were likely caught up in a “tragic accident”.

He said the sun had set when the boys hit the obstacle, arguing there was insufficient lighting underneath the bridge.

“(It’s) dark under the bridge because sometimes you just don’t realise, ‘Oh, the sun’s going down, I better get back’, as you’re on the water having fun, fishing, riding with the boys,” Mr Nagi said.

“It’s an innocent, tragic, unfortunate mistake. They’ve hit the barge … there’s no lights on (the bridge).”

Fred Nagi said lights needed to be installed under the bridge to improve visibility. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Constable Jesse Hockey, who was one of the first on the scene with paramedic Scott McNamara, said he stripped down to his “shirts and underwear” to retrieve the boys in the “cold” and “murky” water.

“It was cold,” he said. “It took a bit to get my breath back. (It was) cold, murky, dark – we couldn’t see much.”

Constable Hockey, and paramedic Scott and Andrew, who dived into the river to rescue Noah and assisted with the recovery of the two teens. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Inspector Tim Carter told reporters the boys were riding the same jet ski at the time of the incident.

“At this stage, it would appear the jet ski has collided with an object or obstacle in the water, which has then thrown these two boys from the jet ski, where they have sustained these injuries,” he said.

He said the first responding officers’ efforts to rescue the boys were “heroic”.

“The police have done their best to try and save these kids’ lives,” he said.

“We obviously feel great empathy towards the families.”

Originally published as Police urge for more information after jet ski crash kills Mitchell Irvine, 15, in Sylvania