Three people were injured in a jet ski accident on Lake Gaston when the raft they were riding collided with a pier.
A life-long water skier and 20-year jet ski operator took a raft out on Lake Gaston. On this day, he was to tow a raft with passengers. They set out after he checked his equipment, and checked that all passengers were wearing a life jacket. He had reviewed safety rules and signals with the passengers. He had also posted a safety observer/lookout on the jet ski to ensure that the raft was towing properly.
The jet ski operator (defendant) entered a small cove along the shoreline with the raft in tow. While turning to leave the cove, the raft swung wider than the operator expected. It hit a wood pier. The operator and passengers estimated that the raft was moving at 20 mph or less or even at a no-wake speed. [Read more…]
