‘Heroic’ officer praised after jet ski crash leaves 15yo dead, 14yo’s arm severed in Sylvania, Sydney

Two teenage boys were riding on the same jet ski when it collided with an object in the water, causing a crash that killed a 15-year-old and severed the arm of a 14-year-old, police have revealed. The boys crashed in the Georges River near Tom Uglys Bridge in Sylvania shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, sparking calls to emergency services. Officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command were told a jet ski had likely crashed, throwing individuals into the river. Police found the 15-year-old boy in the water, but he could not be revived. The 14-year-old boy was treated at the scene for a severed arm before being taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital by NSW Ambulance paramedics. He remains in a serious condition. Sutherland Shire Police Area Command Inspector Tim Carter told reporters the boys were riding the same jet ski at the time of the incident. “Police were able to quickly enter the water with the help of NSW Ambulance and remove that boy to safety, where he received further treatment on the boat ramp,” he said. “A further search of the area identified a second 15-year-old boy, deceased. The deceased was removed from the water, received further treatment, but was unable to be revived. “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.” Witnesses Danielle and Anna told the ABC they were sitting at a boat ramp nearby when they saw a person screaming for help while dipping in and out of consciousness. The pair called the ambulance, with Danielle adding two paramedics “ended up swimming out to get him and brought him back”. “As they were bringing him back, he didn’t look conscious,” she told the outlet. “We didn’t really see what happened, but they told us it was a crime scene and we had to leave.” Command Inspector Carter 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.”