I talked with Pat Elmer today after his traumatic jet ski experience for him and his rider yesterday.
He is a little bruised up and his rider did receive some burns on her legs from the explosion.
He told me he was thrown 10 feet into the air. And then came down next to his seawall in shallow water in a vertical position which bruised up his feet pretty bad from the impact.
They both went to area hospitals to be checked out after the accident and we’re both released.
He told me he always fuels up his jet skis after every ride with a gas can from his garage.
He believes the combination of the cool gas and extreme heat caused an expansion of fumes to build up inside the engine compartment.
It was a 2003 Kawasaki. STX12F.
He’s done some research, and there was a recall on the airbox that he is going to research.
He advised to vent the gas cap and remove the watercraft seat before trying to start.
He also is going to be having a fire extinguisher In his garage, and one down by the river as a learning experience from this event.
We are so blessed that this is evident did not end tragically.
Our thoughts.and prayers are with those families Today, after the tragic loss of life from that wicked storm that came through our area Yesterday and went across Lake Geneva, tipping over boatlifts, and that boat that they were on.
With uncertain weather today, we all need to be vigilant with our weather apps to keep an eye on storms that could develop.
Everyone should wear life jackets when they are on a boat, and many of us do not.
Also, anyone, under the age of 13 must always have a life jacket on when the boat is underway.
Tragedies do happen, so it has up to us this holiday weekend to be as observant as possible to avoid accidents.
Let’s hope mother nature dissipates the rain over our area today and families can get out and have a safe fun, July 4th celebration on our waterway.
The water will be a little rough tonight on the way home from the fireworks. So let’s all just be patient. And drive responsibly to not make excessive boat waves for everyone to struggle with.
Happy 250th fourth of July. Everyone, and let’s all make it back to the dock, safe and sound.