LOWELL, Mass. — A jet ski crash on the Merrimack River in Lowell claimed the life of a father Tuesday, and now police are looking to the public for help.
"You took a family member, you took a father, a husband, somebody's son. Just come forward. Come forward," said Miguel Fernandez, brother-in-law of the victim.
MORE: Middlesex DA investigating deadly Jet Ski crash in Lowell
The crash was reported around 2 p.m. in the area of Rynne Beach. Few details have been released by police, but they said two jet skis collided, killing Juan Arroyo-Ortiz, 39 of Lawrence.The other jet ski did not stop.
Arroyo-Ortiz 's family said he was wearing his life jacket and was always cautious while jet skiing.
"He was very careful and he would even tell us if we got on a jet ski don't do anything crazy, be safe," said Francheska Rivera, his sister-in-law.
Arroyo-Ortiz leaves behind a wife, pictured together above, and four children.
"We deserve answers. We don't deserve to live with this pain without knowing what really happened," said Fernandez.
People who enjoy the river tell Boston 25 News that the river gets crowded and many times people don’t follow water safety rules.
“We were in the middle of the river when the man tipped his boat and because of how rocky the waters were and the jet skis were still coming like 10 feet around us, which they’re not supposed to be,” Sabrina Peterson said.
When it comes to personal water crafts, like jet skis and boats, there are several safety laws in Massachusetts including:
- Wearing a life jacket
- Operating at a slow, no-wake speed within 150 feet of swimmers, other water craft or shorelines
- Not operating under the influence
- Must be 16 years old or older
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call police.
Cox Media Group
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