Tragedy on the Water: Teen Dies, Another Injured in Jet Ski Crash Near Tom Uglys Bridge
It’s one of those heartbreaking stories that shakes an entire community. A seemingly ordinary day on the water turned into a nightmare near Tom Uglys Bridge in Sylvania, Sydney’s south. Two teenage boys, just 14 and 15 years old, were riding a jet ski together on the Georges River when disaster struck. At around 6pm on Tuesday evening, their jet ski collided with an unknown obstacle in the water—possibly something submerged near the bridge or a nearby marine barge.
Tragically, the 15-year-old boy did not survive. He was pulled from the water but couldn’t be revived despite desperate efforts from emergency responders. His classmates and community have since gathered at the site, paying their respects and trying to make sense of this sudden, devastating loss.
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The younger boy, 14-year-old Noah Watkins, suffered a catastrophic injury—his arm was severed in the collision. Initially in critical condition, Noah was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital. Thankfully, he’s now reported to be in a stable condition, though his life will never be the same.
Police say both boys were wearing life jackets, which may have saved Noah’s life. A bystander noticed someone floating in the murky, fuel-filled water and called for help. Among the first on the scene was Constable Jesse Hockey, who instinctively jumped into the water in just his underwear and shirt to retrieve Noah. Special operations paramedics, including Scott McNamara, followed closely, working to stabilize the injured boy and bring him safely to shore.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Police divers spent Wednesday searching the water near a barge, trying to locate the main body of the jet ski and piece together exactly what happened. Superintendent Donald Faulds stated that it’s not yet clear what the boys hit, but the area is known to be heavily trafficked by boats and barges. A family friend of Noah, Fred Nagi, described the spot as a "blind zone," especially dangerous during sunset due to poor lighting and unlit barges.
Noah is a student at De La Salle Catholic College in Caringbah, and the school community has rallied around him and the family of the boy who passed away. Sydney Catholic Schools released a statement expressing condolences and confirming that counselling services are being provided to help students and staff cope with the trauma.
This tragedy is a chilling reminder of how quickly life can change—and how critical water safety, visibility, and regulation around busy marine zones really are. As investigations continue, families mourn, and a young boy begins the long road to recovery, the community is left asking whether more could have been done to prevent such a heartbreaking event.
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