Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A woman is dead after two Jet Skis collided near Randall’s Island late Sunday night, in what police are now investigating as a fatal watercraft crash on the first day of summer. According to ABC7 New York, the collision happened at approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, 2026, throwing four people into the water — two men and two women.
Authorities say the impact of the collision knocked one of the women unconscious. The other three victims, while in the water, were apparently conscious following the crash. All four individuals had to be pulled from the water by first responders who arrived on scene.
Members of the NYPD Harbor Unit responded to the collision and pulled the victims out of the water. Upon reaching the unconscious woman, Harbor Unit members immediately attempted to revive her on scene, ABC7 New York reports. Despite their efforts, the woman remained unresponsive and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced dead.
The identity of the woman who died has not been released by authorities. No information on the conditions of the remaining three victims — the two men and the other woman — has been made public at this time. Police have not said whether any of the other individuals sustained serious injuries in the crash.
As reported by ABC7 New York, police say the investigation into the circumstances of the crash is ongoing. No details have been released regarding the speed of the Jet Skis, whether alcohol or impairment was a factor, the ownership of the watercraft, or the relationship between the four people involved.
The incident unfolded on the evening of what was the longest day of the year — the summer solstice — a time when waterways around New York City typically see a significant uptick in recreational activity. Randall’s Island sits in the East River at the convergence of the Harlem River and the Little Hell Gate, making the surrounding waterway a busy area for boaters and personal watercraft operators during warm weather months.
Location & Road Context
Randall’s Island is a 480-acre island in the borough of Manhattan, accessible by road via the Randall’s Island Connector from the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (formerly the Triborough Bridge). The island sits at the junction of the East River, the Harlem River, and the Little Hell Gate — a stretch of water that sees heavy recreational watercraft traffic throughout the summer season, particularly on weekends and holidays.
The waters surrounding Randall’s Island fall under the jurisdiction of the NYPD Harbor Unit, which patrols New York City’s waterways and responds to maritime emergencies. The area is not governed by conventional road traffic infrastructure, but the same general safety principles apply to personal watercraft as to motor vehicles on public roads in New York State, including regulations under the New York State Navigation Law.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Police say the investigation into the circumstances of the fatal Jet Ski collision is ongoing. As of Sunday evening, no arrests have been announced and no charges have been filed in connection with the crash. Investigators have not publicly disclosed what factors may have contributed to the collision between the two personal watercraft, including whether speed, operator error, impairment, or darkness played a role.
The NYPD has not released the identities of any of the four individuals involved — including the woman who died — as of the time of publication. Further updates are expected as the Harbor Unit’s investigation progresses.
Broader Impact
Fatal personal watercraft crashes are subject to investigation under New York State Navigation Law, which governs the operation of boats and Jet Skis on state waterways. Under New York law, operating a vessel while intoxicated (BWI) — if determined to be a factor — can result in criminal charges comparable to a DWI on land, including potential felony charges if the incident results in death. New York State also requires personal watercraft operators to complete a boating safety course if born on or after January 1, 1988. Whether any of these factors apply in this case has not yet been determined by investigators.