14-year-old killed in jet ski crash on Bass Lake; second teen dead in a week

A 14-year-old boy died Wednesday night after he crashed his jet ski into a moored pontoon boat on Bass Lake, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said.

Lt. Bill Ward said deputies responded to a boating accident call after a local resident heard screams from the lake around 11 p.m. The resident used his boat to find an 18-year-old man and his 14-year-old friend.

The 14-year-old, identified as Kyle Farr, of Los Gatos, was not responsive. Deputies and Sierra Ambulance personnel were unable to revive him.

Ward said that Farr’s parents were not present at the accident, but they are believed to have been staying somewhere near the lake on vacation. They were notified later in the evening.

Deputies from the sheriff’s boating unit were not present at the time of the accident, Ward said. They are only stationed on the lake during daylight hours.

People are allowed to use the lake after dark, but they must travel below 5 miles per hour and have headlights. Deputies believe the boy and his friend were not following either rule.

An investigation into what factors contributed to the fatal crash is underway.

The boy’s death was the second such accident in the past week. On Saturday, 13-year-old David Flores of Fresno was killed after being struck by a jet ski while riding an inflatable innertube pulled by a pontoon boat.

Flores’ aunt, Julissa Valenzuela, 16, of Houston, was also seriously injured in the accident. She was airlifted to Community Regional Medical Center, where she was in a coma until Monday morning. She was responsive and recognized family members, but her condition is still critical.

The sheriff’s office’s boating unit will increase patrols throughout the weekend in anticipation of holiday travelers.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 3:55 PM with the headline "14-year-old killed in jet ski crash on Bass Lake; second teen dead in a week."