FLOWERY BRANCH - While alcohol is not thought to be a factor in Friday afternoon's accident on Lake Lanier involving a jet ski and an innertube, it is possible charges could be brought against the jet ski operator.
Sgt. Mike Burgamy with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said the GBI has been asked to assist with the investigation into the accident, which occurred around 3:00 p.m. near Van Pugh Park.
Burgamy told Fox 5 News there were rangers patrolling in the area, and they saw the jet ski hit two young people on the innertube.
"They saw the personal watercraft running around, saw the pontoon and tuber and the next thing they saw was the personal watercraft went right over the two kids on the tube," said Burgamy.
The 11-year-old boy was taken by air ambulance to Egleston Children's Hospital in Atlanta with critical injuries, according to Hall County Fire chief David Kimbrell. He said emergency responders reported the boy was unconscious when he was pulled from the lake.
The boy, now identified as the son of an ex-wife of recording artist Usher, apparently sustained major head injuries.
Meanwhile, the second patient, a 15-year-old girl, is hospitalized in serious condition. Authorities said she sustained broken bones in the accident.
Melissa Cummings with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said a 38-year-old male was driving the jet ski and the victims were being pulled on the back of a pontoon boat at the time of the incident. She said the man operating the personal watercraft is familiar with the victims but the extent of their relationship was unclear at this time. The jet ski that was involved in the incident was seized for further investigation.
The names of those involved in the accident have not been released.
