Jet skiers in fatal accident

An Auckland man died after being struck by a jetski yesterday.

The 20-year-old West Auckland man was at Island Bay in Beach Haven on the North Shore with family and friends when the accident happened about 5.15 pm.

Witnesses said he fell from his own jetski about 100m from the Island Bay boat ramp and was then hit by a friend on a following jetski.

His friend and boaties in the area managed to get the man to shore.

He was unconscious and in critical condition with head wounds when ambulance staff arrived, and died while they were attending him.

Sergeant Rogan Parker of Takapuna police said several of the man's family and friends saw the accident but there were other witnesses who had yet to be contacted.

"We've got a pretty clear picture of what happened. He had been out there all day on the jetski before the accident."

Family and friends at the boat ramp declined to comment on the accident.

Sergeant Parker said it was too early to say whether charges would be laid against the man's friend. He said police were still trying to determine exactly how far away the friend's jetski was when the man fell into the water.

An autopsy is expected to be carried out today.

Both jetskis involved in the accident have been taken by police for examination.