A teenage boy has been rushed to a Perth hospital with serious injuries following a frightening watercraft accident at a popular inland lake in Western Australia's South West region.
Emergency Response at Popular Recreation Spot
The incident occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, March 23, at Lake Kepwari, near the town of Collie. Emergency services were called to the scene after reports a teenager had been injured while using a sea biscuit, a type of towable inflatable tube. The exact nature of the injuries has not been publicly disclosed, but they were serious enough to warrant a major emergency response.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was tasked to the scene, highlighting the severity of the situation and the remote location of the lake. A rescue helicopter also attended to assist in what was described as a complex operation to extract the injured teen from the water and transport him for advanced medical care.
Complex Rescue Operation Unfolds
Multiple agencies worked together to manage the incident. Alongside the RFDS, personnel from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the WA Police were involved in the response. The operation required careful coordination to safely retrieve the patient and prepare him for the flight to Perth.
The teenager was flown directly to Perth Children's Hospital, where he was admitted in a serious condition. The hospital is the state's premier paediatric facility, equipped to handle major trauma cases. Authorities have not released the age or identity of the boy, respecting the family's privacy during this difficult time.
Lake Kepwari's History and Safety Reminder
Lake Kepwari is a former coal mine pit that has been transformed into a well-known recreational lake, popular for swimming, fishing, camping, and water sports like kayaking and the use of towable devices. The area is managed and promoted by the Collie River Valley Tourist Park.
This serious incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with water sports, even in seemingly calm inland waters. While towable toys like sea biscuits are popular, they can pose significant risks if not used with proper safety precautions, including appropriate life jackets, supervision, and adherence to safe speeds and conditions by the boat driver towing them.
Emergency services often emphasise the importance of water safety, particularly as summer ends and autumn conditions can change rapidly. This incident near Collie will likely prompt renewed calls for vigilance on all Western Australian waterways.
