Photo: Andrey Znamenskyi / iStock / Getty Images
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office released a preliminary report on the fatal crash that occurred on Sacandaga Lake on June 23, 2025. The report identifies operator inexperience as a major factor in the collision between a jet ski and a pontoon boat near the Broadalbin Boat Launch. Twenty-one-year-old Grace Clark, a Schalmont High School graduate, was operating the jet ski when it collided with the pontoon boat at a speed exceeding 25 miles per hour. Clark died at the scene, while her passenger was hospitalized at Albany Medical Center but has since been released. No one on the pontoon boat was injured.
According to the sheriff's office, the crash occurred after the jet ski made an "abrupt maneuver." The investigation involved witness statements, GPS data, and video evidence, along with a preliminary accident reconstruction. The findings showed that the pontoon boat operator complied with all safety regulations.
The sheriff's office emphasized the importance of safety measures, reminding boaters and jet skiers of the requirement to obtain a Safe Boating Certificate before operating a motorized vessel. They also urged individuals to limit alcohol consumption, monitor speed, yield the right of way, and avoid the water at dusk if unfamiliar with the lake.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the need for boating safety, especially with the July 4th weekend approaching.