Teen thrown off jet ski during ‘abrupt turn’ is found dead in Florida lake, cops say

Simone Jasper
·2 min read

A 17-year-old jet ski rider died after he was tossed into a Florida lake, officials said.

Jose Torres was operating the watercraft late June 18 when he “made an abrupt turn.” Torres and his 15-year-old passenger were thrown from the jet ski and landed in Lake Clinch, according to preliminary information from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said the 15-year-old, “who was wearing a life jacket, was able to swim back to the jet ski.” But he couldn’t find Torres and told others in the area that the older teen was missing, officials wrote in a news release.

Then on June 19, deputies using an “underwater drone” reported finding Torres’ body about 20 feet below the surface.

Torres was studying welding at Ridge Technical College in Winter Haven, WTSP reported.

Though officials believe Torres drowned, the medical examiner is expected to determine his cause of death. Deputies said the teen wasn’t wearing a life jacket when he went into the water.

“Our hearts hurt today for this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Jose’s family and loved ones,” Sheriff Grady Judd wrote in the release. “This is a tragic accident and a stark reminder that life jackets save lives. Please, when out on the water, wear a life jacket.”

Lake Clinch spans more than 1,200 acres in the Frostproof area, roughly 65 miles south of Orlando, the University of South Florida said on its website.

A teenage boy was found dead after going into Lake Clinch in Florida, officials said.
A teenage boy was found dead after going into Lake Clinch in Florida, officials said.

Drowning

At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.

Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.

“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”

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