Two teenage girls died in a collision between a jet ski and a boat.

Tragedy struck on Tuesday evening in northeast Illinois as two teenage girls lost their lives in a devastating collision on the serene waters of Lake Marie. The girls, aged 16 and 13, were riding a Yamaha WaveRunner with the older girl at the wheel and the younger one as a passenger, according to investigators from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

As the WaveRunner was cruising near a channel to Grass Lake, a 55-year-old man in a boat entered the same area. Witnesses reported that the girls were traveling at a high speed and heading straight for the boat, resulting in a collision at around 5:15pm. According to ABC 7, the girls were wearing life vests, but were both thrown into the water upon impact.

Fortunately, the occupants of the boat acted quickly and pulled the girls out of the water. Despite their efforts, the girls were found unconscious and emergency services were immediately called. They were rushed to the nearby Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, but were sadly pronounced dead upon arrival. The Lake County Coroner's Office later identified the girls as Sarina Vootkur, 16, from Lake Forest, California, and Elle Kim, 13, from Long Grove, Illinois, as reported by WGN 9.

Authorities have stated that the boat driver did everything in his power to avoid the collision, but unfortunately, there was no time to react. According to Sheriff's Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli, "the operator, there was nothing he could do to stop the boat in time or maneuver around the WaveRunner as it approached." He also commended the boat's occupants for their quick and heroic actions, saying that "they immediately jumped into action and did everything they could to help those two teens."

Thankfully, none of the four people on the boat, including the driver from Antioch, were injured. However, it is unclear if the teenage driver had completed a certified safety course before operating the WaveRunner. The crash is currently under investigation by the sheriff's office's marine unit and the Illinois Conservation Police.

Lake Marie, a popular spot for boating and water sports, is located about 60 miles northwest of Chicago and close to the Wisconsin border. Sadly, this incident occurred almost a year after a similar tragedy in Florida, where two airboats collided on Cypress Lake, injuring 13 people. As investigations continue, our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the two girls who lost their lives in this devastating accident.

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