Investigation continues in violent jet ski accident

The Linn County Sheriff's Office is still investigating

60s.

Tonight many questions still remain about how a jet ski sped away from its driver... and plowed into swimmers at lewis creek park east of sweet home.

As kezi nine news reporter connor mccarthy shows us... many people are asking about a device that should have turned off the jet ski... when the driver fell off.

Haggar:" i was freaking out, i'm praying for those kids."

Bonilla: "we were really surprised, we were kind of in shock."

Connor: "this rope of buoy's outlines the swim zone of lewis creek park to keep boaters and jet skis out.

But police say monday, that runaway jet ski came barreling through this swim zone and hitting two children and one adult."

Zachary maynard and kennedy swenson are both in portland area hospitals with life threatening injuries.

Haggar: "if something like that would have hapened to my son, i would have freaked out."

Bonilla: " it's sad because if anything would have happened to my children i would be distraut."

The linn county sheriff's says this is the jet ski in question... a 2020 sea-doo spark trix.

But a jet ski that new... people are wondering... why didn't the kill switch work?

Haggar: "i'm surprised the kill switch didn't engage and i would like to know why.

I have never really heard of a jet ski that does that."

Under oregon law... jet skis must have a kill switch like this one here.

The idea is... if a the driver fall off... the key is pulled out and the engine stops.

The sheriff's office says they are scheduling an inspection to look into the kill switch as well as the rest of the jet ski.

Banillo: "i'm on a high alert right now and every time i seen the jet skis coming or the boats, i'm worried so i'm pretty much in fear."

Deputies say the operator... a 23 year old man..

Is cooperating but they did not confirm if alcohol is a factor.

Haggar: "definitley watching the waters to make sure nothing is going on because there are alot of people drinking on the water."

When it comes to the two children fighting for their lives... sweet home residents say all they are asking for is supprot.

"we're just trying to come together, pray for the families.

We're trying to staty strong, i know its hard wtih all this covid but we have to be a community and just pray."

A go fund me has been set up for both children and at last check each has over two thousand dollars.

Reporting in sweet home connor mccarthy kezi