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16-year-old dies in hospital following Lake Havasu boat crash

The teenager was operating a personal watercraft when it collided with a boat and ejected him into the water, officials said.
Thousands of people flocked to Lake Havasu City for the Fourth of July, lining the shores of Bridgewater Channel. (Photo: Halie Cook/12 News)

KINGMAN, Ariz. — Jorge Contras, a 16-year-old boy from California, has died after his watercraft collided with a boat on Lake Havasu Saturday afternoon.

Mohave County Sheriff's deputies responded to the North Basin of the lake around 3:40 p.m. for reports of a crash. The caller indicated that one person involved was seriously injured, officials said.

Upon arrival, deputies learned that a personal watercraft operated by the teenager collided with a 28-foot boat, causing him to be ejected into the water. Officials said the boy sustained serious injuries.

Life-saving measures were performed on Contras before he was transported to Havasu Regional Medical Center in extremely critical condition. He was later flown to a Las Vegas hospital, officials said. 

On Tuesday, Contras died at the hospital, according to officials. 

Through the investigation, it was determined that speed, lack of operator experience, and operation behavior of the watercraft were key factors of the crash. No criminal charges will be filed against the 49-year-old operator of the other boat involved.

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