A 15-year-old girl was injured on Lake Orion on Sunday afternoon while riding a kite tube being pulled by a speedboat.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division said the girl was being towed on a ‘Manta Ray? kite tube behind her father’s 20? speedboat.
The family, who is from Lake Orion, made three 32-mile per hour passes around the lake, with the daughter being pulled behind the boat, in the tube which was airborne 6-8 feet.
The girl’s father was driving the boat, and when a strong wind gust pushed the tube 20-25 feet into the air, he suddenly reduced the boat’s power, causing the tube to nose dive and the girl to crash face first into the water.
The girl was immediately recovered from the water, unconscious and not breathing, by her father.
The father provided CPR, and the daughter began breathing on her own. She was transported from the scene to Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, and listed in serious condition.
The Marine Division said alcohol was not a factor in the incident, and no marine violation was found.
The contributing factor appears to be the lack of control when the kite tube was airborne.
OCSD Marine Division Commander Sergeant Dan Toth said the father did everything ‘by the book.?
‘It looked like she’d fully recover,? he said. ‘This is another example of how unpredictable these things can be.?
Toth said three people are required for waterskiing, and anything related like tube kiting, including the rider, the boat operator and an observer.
‘They had all three,? he said. ‘The father’s reaction to let up on the throttle is a natural one. It’s kind of like if you’re riding a jet ski, and you’re still thinking of it like an automobile. Once you let up on the throttle, you lose your steering ability.?
Toth said the family involved is from Lake Orion and live near the lake.
OCSD Captain Doug Molinar said the accident is only the second related to kite tubing that the department has responded to in the county, in back-to-back weekends.
A 42-year-old woman was knocked unconscious on Union Lake while riding a kite tube on July 4, and Molinar said both that accident and the one on Lake Orion resulted in spinal cord injuries.
‘These things are designed to go airborne,? he said.
Kite tubes are very large, sometimes round, inflatable water devices, that can be more than 10 feet in diameter and retail for about $500. The tube is attached to the back of a boat by a tow rope, and the rider pulls back on the rope as the boat travels at speeds between 25-35 miles per hour.
The ride begins when the device is lifted into the air trailing the boat.
OCSD Major Damon Shields said it’s been his personal observation that it’s unclear yet if the devices can be regulated.
‘They’re legal,? he said. ‘But coordination between the person on the tube and the person operating the boat is very important.
‘If the coordination isn’t there, it turns dangerous very, very quickly,? Shields said, adding that other water sports that involve someone going airborne, such as parasailing, require a license.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating the extreme water sport devices, which are only meant to go about 10 feet in the air, but can reach up to 40 feet while airborne.
Wind gusts, such as that experienced during the accident on Lake Orion, can cause the tube to spin out of control, and sudden slowing or stopping by the boat operator can cause the tube to nose dive into the water.
According to an CPSC news release, they are aware of at least two deaths associated with kite tubing this year. A 33-year-old Texas man was killed in late April, and a 42-year-old man died from injuries associated with tube kiting on June 26 in Wisconsin.
The CPSC is also aware of 12 serious injuries associated with kite tubing, including a broken neck, punctured lung, broken ribs, broken femur, chest and back injuries and facial injuries, including jaw fractures.
‘We tell all our citizens, enjoy the summer and enjoy safe boating, but use common sense,? said Molinar. ‘Don’t let poor judgment ruin your summer.
‘Accidents do happen, and it’s a tragedy to have someone ruin their life over something like this,? he said. ?(Kite tubes) are very dangerous.?