Mum died on family holiday after girl, 17, on jet ski smashed into side of her boat in front of son and husband
A MUM died on a family holiday when a 17-year-old jet-skier smashed into the side of her inflatable boat, an inquest heard.
Jane Walker, 52, was on the Rigid Inflatable boat (RIB), named the Rib Tickler, with her son and husband Kevin when the horror unfolded.
An inquest heard how the teen hit the side of the boat while on a jet ski on the Menai Strait – causing Jane to be thrown sideways.
At first it was believed she had a broken arm but she deteriorated quickly and later died from internal injuries to her head, spinal cord and chest.
The hearing was told paramedic Darren Lloyd gave the mum 5 millilitres of morphine to relieve the pain in her arm.
But her husband asked whether this had suppressed her respiratory system – especially as she had a collapsed lung.
Kevin said: “I’m convinced that’s when she died.”
Dr Jonathan Whelan, assistant medical director with the Welsh Ambulance Services, and independent expert Mark Faulkner both said it was correct to administer morphine in the circumstances.
While Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers said: “Having heard the evidence I quite clearly take the view that it did not play any part in Mrs Walker’s death.”
The inquest was told the horror unfolded in August 2020 as a family friend drove the boat.
The jet skier, who was related to the driver, had only been on the watercraft “eight or nine times prior to the accident” and had no qualifications for it.
A Marine Accident Investigation Board found the driver of the boat and the jet ski rider were carrying out “uncoordinated, high-speed manoeuvres” at the time.
The report said the pair were “operating too closely to each other at high speed and neither Rib Tickler’s driver nor the personal watercraft rider understood the other’s intentions”.
Kate Robertson, senior coroner for North West Wales, recorded a verdict of accidental death.
She said she would be contacting Isle of Anglesey County Council to check which steps would be taken over its management of the Menai Strait to avoid similar tragedies.