Mitchell Irvine: Parents issue fresh plea for reform after teen charged over deadly jet ski crash
A heartbroken mother and father have called for urgent change.
The parents of a boy killed in a jet ski crash have called for urgent change after another teen was charged over the deadly incident.
Mitchell Irvine, 15, was thrown from the back of the watercraft on the Georges River in Sylvania, in Sydney’s south, almost a year ago.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Teenager charged over fatal jet ski crash
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“To not have the opportunity now to not celebrate an 18th, a 21st, a wedding, grandchildren — it’s just like, we want to wake up and it’s all been a nightmare,” his father Neil Irvine said on Wednesday.
Mitchell’s parents spoke a day after police revealed another teen had been charged over the crash.
A 15-year-old, who was 14 at the time and lost his arm in the incident, was issued with a court attendance notice for one count of dangerous navigation occasioning death, and one count of operating a recreational vessel negligently causing death.
NSW Police said the charges followed an extensive investigation by Marine Area Command, and Mitchell’s parents said they were glad authorities had “been so diligent”.
They have also called for change, and want the minimum age to ride jet skis raised from 12 to 16.
The government said it is looking at options, but is yet to move on any reform.
“What’s the acceptable number of deaths in NSW before we make a change? In my view, it’s always zero,” Neil Irvine said.
“We want that fixed now.”
The alleged driver of the jet ski will face court on July 22, exactly one year after Mitchell died.
Originally published on 7NEWS
