Vacationing family recounts frantic rescue in deadly Lake St. Clair crash

A 17-year-old girl died after a jet ski crash in Lake St. Clair. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has details.

A short two-day family vacation turned into a life-altering experience for Marco Malizia, who was one of the first to respond after a tragic jet ski crash on Lake St. Clair Thursday afternoon.

Malizia and his family were fishing near a trailer they had rented on Couture Beach Road when they suddenly found themselves at the center of a frantic rescue effort that followed a devastating collision involving four teenage girls.

“Just wish we could do more. I know if it was my daughter, I wish someone would do it for her,” Malizia said.

According to Ontario Provincial Police, a 17-year-old girl from Essex County was pulled from the water and later pronounced dead in hospital. Another girl, aged 16, was airlifted to a trauma centre with life-threatening injuries. Two others were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Malizia noticed the girls in the water while enjoying time with his daughter. Two of the girls were on the jet ski while the inflatable had the other two. He felt the jet ski was getting uncomfortably close to shore and started yelling to get their attention.

“She came in too close and she just hit the wall, at top speed,” he said.

The crash was so intense that the owner of the trailer said her house shook from the impact. Malizia’s 12-year old daughter called 911 while he and his wife immediately sprang into action.

“My wife was trying to pull her up herself. And, you know, she’s just doing her best she could. She was with the one girl… and I was taking care of the other, helping the other gentleman and his wife take care of the other girl.”

Before emergency responders arrived, several people joined the Malizia’s in helping the teens.

The family is still shaken and heartbroken.

“Poor kids, they were hoping to have some fun and, you know, and it was very tragic in the end,” Malizia said. “I just hope, the families, give them condolences, all of them and hope that the one girl recovers and gets through it, and everybody is okay.”

Malizia’s wife, Marie Pusz added, “I send my condolences and my love, prayer and strength to the families. I wanna send all my love to them.”

A GoFundMe page has been launched to help the family of Ava, the 16-year-old girl who remains in critical condition. Her family is traveling from Alberta, and the fundraiser will assist with the cost of flights, hotels, meals, and time away from work.

OPP says their investigation continues.