Friend couldn’t find teen who fell off jet ski in Florida bay. Rescuers rush to water

A jet skier’s safe arrival at a Florida boat dock was followed by a startling realization: He had lost his passenger somewhere in Tampa Bay.

It happened around 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, at Davis Islands Boat Ramp in Tampa, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a March 27 news release.

Body camera video from deputies shows the jet skier was frantic and “had no idea” where to start the search for his friend.

Adding to the challenge: It was nearing sunset.

“He just fell off. I don’t know when he fell off,” the teen is heard telling deputies. “I was coming from ... right over by Fantasy Island and I just looked back and he’s not here.”

Marine Unit deputies and the county’s aviation unit joined forces to backtrack the jet skier’s path from Fantasy Island in the bay. It took the teams about 10 minutes to find the 17-year-old floating far from dry land, video shows.

The teen was pulled aboard a rescue boat as his friend can be heard calling out “I’m so sorry,” the video shows. The rescued teen, who was wearing a life jacket, was not injured, officials said.

“This was such a frightening situation,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the news release.

“This is a high-traffic boating area, making it especially hazardous. I’m so glad these teens wore life vests because this could’ve ended tragically. I commend our deputies for acting so quickly.”

This story was originally published March 28, 2023 at 6:24 AM with the headline "Friend couldn’t find teen who fell off jet ski in Florida bay. Rescuers rush to water."