A daytime outing on the Colorado River turned violent Tuesday when a rental personal watercraft reportedly slammed head-on into a water taxi near the Pioneer Casino in Laughlin, leaving a 36-year-old Las Vegas man with serious injuries. The collision happened around 1 p.m., authorities said, and the force of the impact threw the rider from the jet ski. He suffered a severe leg injury along with other trauma. One passenger on the water taxi reported minor injuries; nine people were on board at the time.
Scene and response
Boating officers with the Bullhead City Police Department were called to the stretch of river near the Pioneer Casino after reports of the crash. In a Facebook post, the department said the 36-year-old jet ski operator was wearing a life jacket when he was tossed into the water. He was pulled from the river and taken to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center for treatment, according to the Bullhead City Police Department.
Injuries and hospital updates
The man’s injuries were described as serious, including a significant leg injury, and he was expected to be transferred to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas for more advanced care. The water taxi had nine people aboard, and one passenger with minor injuries was taken to a hospital as a precaution. Investigators do not believe alcohol played a role in the crash, according to FOX5 Las Vegas.
Water taxi service and safety
Water taxis are a familiar sight on this part of the Colorado River, routinely shuttling visitors between Laughlin and Bullhead City. The River Passage service notes that its tri-pontoon vessels undergo annual U.S. Coast Guard inspections, a reminder of the safety protocols that operators lean on as traffic on the water picks up for the summer season, per River Passage Water Taxi.
Investigation and takeaways
Bullhead City boating officers, along with other agencies, are continuing to investigate what led to the head-on collision, and officials have not released any additional details about the cause. The crash highlights the risks that can arise when fast personal watercraft mix with larger passenger vessels in relatively tight river lanes. Authorities are urging people to slow down, pay close attention to traffic on the water and use extra caution on busy stretches of the Colorado River.
