People enjoy Lake Ontario at Scarborough Bluffs Park in the early morning at Toronto on Sept. 19, 2024. The Canadian Press/Paige Taylor White
A 20-year-old man has been charged with dangerous operation on the water after a jet ski struck a Toronto lifeguard patrol vessel on the shores of Lake Ontario.
The crash occurred late last week while a lifeguard was monitoring a designated swim zone aboard a patrol vessel at the Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto’s east end, according to a Toronto Police Service release. City of Toronto Beach Lifeguard patrol vessels are rigid-hull inflatables or white rowboats used by waterfront staff to patrol designated swim zones.
A jet ski entered the swim zone and crashed into the lifeguard’s vessel, which caused the lifeguard to be thrown into the water, police say. The lifeguard sustained minor injuries.
“The operator continued riding before being directed to shore by another lifeguard,” police said.
The marine unit of the Toronto police responded to the incident and its officers conducted an investigation into the collision before taking the jet ski operator into custody.
Brampton, Ont., resident Tristan Latchman has been charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance. He is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 25 to answer to the charge.
The City of Toronto said in a press release that designated swim areas at its beaches are marked by white buoys labelled “swim zone” in the water.
Toronto lifeguards use patrol vessels to monitor the outer edges of the designated, buoys-marked swimming areas to make sure swimmers don’t drift too far out, as well as to ensure unauthorized watercraft like jet skis stay outside the swim zone, the city said.
“The Toronto Police Service Marine Unit reminds residents that personal watercraft are not permitted in designated swim areas at Toronto beaches,” the unit said in the city press release. “These shared spaces must remain safe for swimmers, lifeguards, paddlers and other recreational users. Posted swim zones and restricted areas are in place for safety and must be respected.”
Anyone with information about the alleged collision last week is asked to contact the police marine unit.
