A jet ski rider died Friday afternoon after being thrown from a personal watercraft on the Connecticut River, state officials said, prompting a response from conservation police, local fire crews and emergency medical personnel.
Officers from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Environmental Conservation Police responded about 2 p.m. to an accident just north of Selden Neck State Park, DEEP said. The operator was rescued from the water by other boaters and EnCon officers and brought to shore where Chester Fire Department personnel and EMS met them.
What officials say happened
Based on witness accounts, the personal watercraft allegedly struck a wake and the operator was ejected into the river, DEEP officials said. The injured person was taken to Middlesex Hospital with serious injuries and was later pronounced dead.
The name of the operator has not been released pending family notifications. The investigation into the incident is being led by the EnCon Police, DEEP said. No additional details were released Friday evening.
Response and investigation
- Responding agencies: Connecticut DEEP Environmental Conservation Police, Chester Fire Department, local EMS, Middlesex Hospital.
- Location: Connecticut River, just north of Selden Neck State Park.
- Time of incident: around 2 p.m. Friday, according to state officials.
EnCon Police routinely patrol the river and were on scene after another boater flagged them down, officials said. The department is handling the investigation and has not indicated whether any charges or citations will be pursued.
Safety context for boaters
The Connecticut River is heavily used by recreational boaters in summer months. Operators should be aware of wakes from larger vessels, maintain safe speeds, wear life jackets and keep a safe distance from other craft. When accidents occur, witnesses and other boaters often play a critical role in immediate rescue efforts, as they did in this incident.
| Detail | Known information |
|---|---|
| Time | About 2 p.m. Friday |
| Location | Connecticut River, north of Selden Neck State Park |
| Responding agencies | DEEP EnCon Police, Chester Fire Dept., EMS, Middlesex Hospital |
| Investigation | Led by EnCon Police |
The DEEP statement did not provide the operator’s age, gender or hometown. Officials asked that anyone with information about the crash contact the Environmental Conservation Police.
I will update this report when state investigators or local authorities release additional information.
