Jet ski incident claims life of young girl

A tragic incident has claimed the life of a teenager in Penticton.

RCMP say two jet ski watercraft collided in the middle of Skaha Lake around 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug 4.

Four young people sustained serious injuries.

“The youth were transported, via boat by family, to the Skaha Marina where two off-duty doctors and BC Emergency Health Services attempted life saving measures on all four injured youth. All injured parties were subsequently transferred to the local hospital by EHS,” RCMP Sgt. Paul Bentham, said.

Bentham said one of the victims, a 14-year-old girl from Alberta, succumbed to her injuries at hospital.

“The three remaining youth have all been treated for non-life-threatening injuries and have since been released from hospital,” Bentham stated.

The victim’s family is being supported by RCMP Victim Services and arrangements are being made to assist them in returning to Alberta.

Bentham said Penticton RCMP are leading the investigation into the incident with the assistance of RCMP West Coast Marine Services.

“No criminality is suspected and alcohol is not believed to be a factor in this tragic incident,” the officer said.