iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
An Indian American couple who had gone on a vacation to Lover’s Key State Park, Florida didn’t know that it’ll be their last ever.
Sunil Khanna, 73, and his wife, Nishi Khanna, 65, had retired recently and decided to finally enjoy the fruits of their labor. But unfortunately, their time had run short when their jet ski was hit by a boat which dealt the fatal blow.
An eyewitness of the incident said that the two were riding on a Jet Ski as part of a tour group. One witness said both the Jet Ski and boat were going fast when they crashed head-on.
According to the Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief, the incident happened around 12 p.m., on Friday, December 10, near Flippers on the Bay, east of the Big Carlos Pass Bridge.
After the crash, their vehicle upturned and threw the couple into the water. While there were handful of people to witness this tragic incident, they could not save the two, even after basic medical intervention by a doctor who was present.
“I just heard this real loud boom… and then there was a gasp from the restaurant,” Dr. Rob Kopp, an ENT surgeon, told WINK.
Andress Herrera, general manager of a waterfront restaurant told WINK: “We saw the first guy floating. People started screaming, telling them to pull him out of the water. One is still under the jet ski, so somebody jumped in and went under and pull her out.”
According to the family friend of the Khannas, were scheduled to be back home this weekend.
Kopp hopes this serves as a reminder for everyone to be careful on the water.
“That’s why we’re all here in southwest Florida. We all love the water. And you have to have a ton of respect for it and be incredibly careful because these types of accidents and injuries can occur,” he said.
One of the victims was taken to Lee Health Coconut Point, and the other was taken to NCH North Naples, where they both later died.
The doctor says 15 to 20 people rushed to help after the crash. He says he’s thankful that so many people tried but is devastated by the outcome.
