Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Marine & Environment Lands Unit

Alan G. Gil (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 4/20/1966
Address: 1761 Rockies Court, Lafayette, Colorado
Vessel: 2016 Yamaha personal watercraft.

Brendan A. Gil (Passenger- Injured)
DOB: 09/20/2002
Address: 1761 Rockies Court, Lafayette, Colorado
Vessel: 2016 Yamaha personal watercraft.

Ethan P. Gil (Driver- Uninjured)
DOB: 05/29/2000
Address: 1761 Rockies Court, Lafayette, Colorado
Vessel: 2016 Yamaha personal watercraft

What:
Deputies assigned to the Marine & Environmental Lands Unit are investigating a crash that involved two personal watercraft and injured a teenager near Caladesi Island State Park.

When:
The crash occurred at about 2:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Where:
The crash occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, less than a mile off the northwest corner of Caladesi Island State Park.

Why/How:
Deputies assigned to the Marine & Environmental Lands Unit are investigating a crash that involved two personal watercraft and injured a teenager near Caladesi Island State Park.

At about 2:40 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017, Marine Unit deputies responded with paramedics to the north side of Caladesi Island State Park, for a report of a crash involving two personal watercraft. 

According to investigators, 49-year-old Alan Gil, of Colorado was driving a personal watercraft in the Gulf of Mexico near the northwest tip of Caladesi Island State Park, with his 14-year-old son, Brendan Gil, riding as a passenger.   Alan Gil’s 16-year-old son, Ethan Gil, was operating a second 2016 Yamaha personal watercraft in the same area.

Investigators say that Alan Gil made several rapid turns while operating his watercraft and turned into the path of Ethan Gil’s watercraft, causing the collision. Alan Gil, Brendan Gil, and Ethan Gil were thrown off their watercraft.

Paramedics responded to the scene and transported Brendan Gil by helicopter to Bayfront Health Hospital for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Alan and Ethan Gil were not injured. All three were wearing life vests at the time of the crash.

Investigators don’t believe impairment was a factor in the crash. They do suspect the careless operation of the vessel caused the crash.

Alan Gil and his two sons were on a guided tour with H2O Jet Ski Rentals and Tours of Clearwater Beach at the time of the crash.

The investigation continues.