Groveland, FL (June 4, 2026) – A jet ski carrying three people struck a tree on Lake Hiawatha on Tuesday night, June 2, leaving two teens hurt and all three thrown into the water. The wreck took place in shallow water near a residential neighborhood off State Rd 50.
A nearby boater, Rich Charleston, was heading home when he spotted the teens in the water and brought his boat over to help: he found one teen in and out of consciousness, another with a significant leg injury, and a third person who appeared largely unharmed.
Charleston, a former firefighter, pulled both wounded teens onto his boat and brought them to a community dock, where emergency units were waiting. Two of the three were taken to a hospital. Two helicopters were also seen landing in a nearby ballfield as part of the medical response.
No updates on the condition of those hospitalized were available as of Wednesday. The accident remains under investigation, and more information will be shared as it becomes available. We hope both teens make a full recovery.
What Are the Risks of Jet Ski Accidents on Florida Lakes?
Jet ski accidents on Florida’s inland lakes can be especially dangerous because of the unpredictable mix of shallow water, submerged obstacles, and reduced visibility after dark. Unlike open ocean riding, lake environments often have trees, docks, and shoreline structures close to the water’s surface, making high-speed operation particularly hazardous. Riders thrown from a personal watercraft at speed are at risk of head injuries, broken bones, and water inhalation, even in shallow areas.
Florida law requires all personal watercraft operators born after January 1, 1988, to complete a boating safety course before operating one. Passengers on jet skis must also wear a life jacket at all times. Despite these rules, nighttime riding and overcrowding on a single watercraft remain common factors in lake-based watercraft crashes across the state.
