Two teenagers die when jet ski collides with boat in Illinois

Two young girls, ages 16 and 13, were killed on an Illinois lake Tuesday when their jet ski collided with a boat, authorities said.

The 16-year-old girl was operating a Yamaha jet ski while the 13-year-old was riding as a passenger when the accident occurred around 5:15 p.m. on Lake Marie in Antioch, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said.

Witnesses reported to the sheriff’s office that the teens were traveling at high speed near the Grass Lake Canal directly toward a Sea Ray cabin cruiser that was also approaching the canal.

However, a collision between the two watercraft could not be prevented.

“It doesn’t appear that they were avoiding or attempting to make any sharp maneuvers,” Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris Covelli told FOX32 Chicago. “It appears that they drove right into the cabin cruiser. It just appears to have been a tragic, unfortunate accident.”

According to authorities, the two teenagers on the jet ski, both wearing life jackets, were knocked unconscious and thrown into the water.

The four occupants of the Sea Ray immediately pulled the girls out of the water, called 911 and provided assistance.

One of the girls was brought ashore by the operator of the Sea Ray, while the other girl was brought ashore by the operator of another passing boat.

Both girls were subsequently taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where they were pronounced dead.

No further injuries were reported.

The teenagers were identified as a 16-year-old girl from Lakewood, California, and a 13-year-old girl from Long Grove, Illinois.

Authorities have not yet released their names.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office is expected to perform an autopsy Thursday morning.

The crash remains under investigation.