A group of jet ski riders turned a normally picturesque Gold Coast waterway into chaos after repeatedly buzzing and spraying a small boat until it eventually capsized, sending its occupants—including two children—into the water.
The disturbing footage was captured on the Nerang River near Surfers Paradise and quickly spread across Australian social media.
See the footage, linked here, and below.
Video shows a small aluminum boat, or “tinnie,” traveling along the river when one jet ski begins circling it. After the boat turns around, another rider races alongside and deliberately throws a wall of spray across the occupants.
Moments later, the jet skis return. Another blast of water hits the already unstable boat, which rolls over and dumps those aboard into the river.
According to 7NEWS footage of the incident, two children were among those left stranded in the water after the capsize. No serious injuries have been publicly reported.
The footage immediately sparked outrage. See below.
@7newsaustralia Two children have been rescued from the water at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, following a ruckus caused by a pair of jet ski hoons who capsized their tinnie. #jetski #hoon #surfersparadise #goldcoast #queensland
One commenter wrote: “Bro, what is wrong with people?”
“And that’s how somebody gets hurt or killed,” a separate commenter penned. Another urged authorities to “get the water police out there.”
Lifesavers and nearby boaters pulled the stranded children from the water. Paramedics evaluated the young victims at the scene, and miraculously, both children were rescued safely without sustaining life-threatening physical injuries, though the harrowing ordeal left the family deeply traumatized.
It remains unclear whether the jet ski riders knew the people aboard the boat. Their identities have not been publicly released, and authorities had not announced charges or other enforcement action as of the latest reports.
Related: Watch: 20-Foot Rogue Wave Capsizes Yacht in the Middle of Pacific Ocean
If authorities investigate, Queensland’s watercraft rules could become important. Personal watercraft must generally remain 30 meters from another moving vessel or slow below 10 knots, while riders are required to maintain a proper lookout.
Maritime Safety Queensland Queensland law also prohibits operating a vessel unsafely, including conduct that causes a marine incident.
And the Gold Coast has dealt with jet ski problems before.
Police previously cracked down on dangerous riding around nearby Adam’s Basin, where authorities found teenagers as young as 12 allegedly operating boats and jet skis in violation of safety regulations.
This time, the viral footage provides investigators with plenty to look at.
Two children in the river makes the consequences considerably harder to laugh off.
Related: Watch: Sperm Whale Sinks 52-Foot Yacht in Terrifying South Pacific Attack
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