A mother has been killed after the jet ski she was riding with her partner was hit by another being driven by their 16-year-old twin daughters.
The family, from the southwestern city of Angoulême, were riding the jet skis under the supervision of an instructor, in Arcachon Bay, off France’s Atlantic coast, on Sunday.
The 47-year-old woman died from head injuries a few hours after the crash in Arcachon Bay, France, on Sunday.
Her partner and twin daughters were taken to hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and shock.
Sammy Maysonnave, winner of the French jet ski championship in 2022, told regional newspaper Sud Ouest: ‘Helmets should be compulsory, it’s basic. Riders also need more training, perhaps a special licence.’
To ride a jet ski in France, you have to be at least 16 and hold a boat licence unless you are supervised by a qualified instructor.
Noise, pollution and antisocial behaviour forced another French resort, Arcachon and Lège-Cap-Ferret, to ban privately owned jet skis this summer.
Only official hire companies approved by the resort are now permitted to operate jet skis with the aim that restricting the number of them on the water will reduce the ‘nuisance factor’.
The ban was introduced after arguments between jet skiers and beachgoers became rife during the holiday season, with some resulting in physical fights.
Similar bans are in place in Mediterranean resorts such as Argelès-sur-Mer and Le Cannet, but jet skiers say they are unnecessary.
Mr Maysonnave, who also chairs Arguin Jet, a jet skiers’ association, said: ‘There are sometimes accidents, as there are in cars, but is that a reason to make jet skis illegal? I don’t think so.’
Death’s as a result of jet ski crashes are rare in France but the accidents becoming more frequent.
Emergency services carried out 55 rescue missions along the Atlantic coast last year, a significant increase from 34 in 2022.
Riders are advised to wear helmets but they are not compulsory, although France introduced a rule this year for riders to wear wetsuits at least 2mm thick to protect against internal injuries.
Maysonnave said: ‘It’s a good start, but the regulations should be stricter.’
But he objects to Arcachon’s ban on private jet skis and called it ‘discriminatory’.
He added: ‘We’re being deprived of a freedom, but it’s not over yet. We’re going to take legal action against it.’