Filenews 3 July 2023 - by Ioanna Mantzipia
The jet ski ride off Lady's Mile on Saturday afternoon (1/7) for a family of Ukrainians permanently residing in Cyprus turned into an unspeakable tragedy.
One mistake was enough for the two jet skis driven by the parents to collide, seriously injure their 6-year-old girl and succumb a few hours later at Limassol General Hospital.
The cause of the tragedy is being investigated by the SBA Police, which is called upon to provide answers to dozens of questions raised. The exact circumstances of the maritime accident have not yet been clarified, with the British Bases investigation team seeking independent testimonies.
Under investigation is how the collision between the two jet skis took place. That is, if they collided one behind the other or head-on, if there was a manoeuvre or a third jet ski. As "F" is informed, in the hands of the investigators there is independent testimony, which states that there was a collision, but without specifying more details about the accident. Also, according to a police source of "F", in the hands of the investigation team is information that one jet ski stopped abruptly, resulting in a collision with the second from behind. From the collision, the little girl fell into the sea and apparently hit one of the jet skis.
The parents of the unfortunate girl have not given a statement for the time being, as they suffered a nervous breakdown. Statements are also expected to be taken from the couple's friends who were on the private yacht with them. The cause of death of the 6-year-old is expected to shed light on the autopsy on her body, which will be carried out today by forensic pathologist Angeliki Papetta.
Fatal sea ride with jet ski.
The sea ride of the family from Ukraine along with their friends began early on Saturday (1/7) when the private yacht left the port of Limassol and at one point dropped anchor off Lady's Mile, opposite the last restaurant. There, the 6-year-old's parents took the yacht's jet skis for a ride.
The father was with his 6-year-old daughter on one jet ski and the mother with her 8-year-old son on the second. It was shortly after 17.00 in the afternoon, when under unknown conditions the two jet skis collided with each other. The little girl fell into the sea and was injured. Moments of panic ensued with the parents leading the little girl to an inflatable boat on the yacht, towards land. There, they asked for help from bathers, who provided the 6-year-old with First Aid, while an ambulance was immediately called.
An ambulance crew of Limassol Hospital arrived at the scene, which picked up the 6-year-old and transferred her to First Aid. Despite the superhuman efforts of the doctors, the little girl succumbed at 19.55 from cardiac arrest.
It should be noted that on Sunday members of the British Bases Police and the Coast Guard went again to the scene of the accident, where they carried out new on-site investigations and examinations.
