A horrific jet ski collision with a pier in Lerwick Harbour has left one teenager dead and another in hospital as emergency services race to investigate the cause

A tragic incident occurred in Lerwick Harbour, Shetland, on Tuesday afternoon when a jet ski crashed into a pier, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old man and leaving a 17-year-old boy with serious injuries. Emergency services rushed to the scene at Gremista around 4 pm after receiving reports of the crash, but despite their best efforts, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.

The RNLI Lerwick lifeboat, a coastguard rescue helicopter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, and Police Scotland were all dispatched to assist in the response. The lifeboat played a crucial role, joining forces with the coastguard team and emergency medical teams to provide swift assistance. Tragically, despite the coordinated response, the young man could not be saved.

His family has been informed of the devastating news, and authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The surviving 17-year-old boy was rushed to the hospital for treatment, though further details on his condition have not yet been released.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland confirmed that inquiries into the incident are ongoing, with authorities working to establish exactly what led to the tragic collision. “We are investigating all the circumstances surrounding this incident to understand how it unfolded,” the spokesperson said.

The crash occurred at Catch Pier, located in the heart of Lerwick, a busy area known for its picturesque views and harbour activities. Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash before emergency services swiftly arrived on the scene. Authorities are now piecing together the details of the incident, including whether speed or equipment failure played any role.

The RNLI spokesperson explained that their lifeboat team arrived quickly to assist in the multi-agency response. “We worked closely with our colleagues in the coastguard and other emergency services to provide the necessary support,” the spokesperson said.

This tragic event has deeply shaken the community, with many expressing their condolences to the families involved. Local residents have also voiced concern over the safety of water-based activities in the area, calling for further investigation and possibly more stringent regulations around jet skis.

The incident is a reminder of the dangers associated with water sports, particularly in busy and sometimes unpredictable environments like Lerwick Harbour. While the authorities continue their investigation, they have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.