13-year-old girl killed, another critically injured in Fort Lauderdale personal watercraft crash

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A 13-year-old girl has died and another girl remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after the personal watercraft they were riding slammed into a dock in Fort Lauderdale, authorities confirmed.

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The crash happened just after 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Intracoastal Waterway near the 2800 block of Northeast 24th Court, between the Oakland Park and Sunrise Boulevard bridges, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.

Authorities said the girls were “riding in tandem” on a single personal watercraft when it struck the dock.

They said medics transported both to Broward Health Medical Center. One girl later died; the other remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed.

4 p.m. report:

Personal watercraft crash leaves 2 teen girls injured

FWC, which is leading the investigation, also confirmed that only one personal watercraft was involved. No additional details, including the identities of the teens, have been released.

Editor’s note: Fire officials initially reported that two personal watercraft were involved. The FWC initially told Local 10 the girl who died was 14 but later confirmed she was 13.

Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

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Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner

Chris Gothner joined the Local 10 News team in 2022 as a Digital Journalist.

Janine Stanwood

Janine Stanwood

Janine Stanwood is a Emmy award-winning reporter and anchor. She joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor.