NSW: Teen girl impaled during river joy ride
24 Jan 2009 12:20 AM
SYDNEY, Jan 23 AAP - A 13-year-old girl has died after being impaled on part of a tree during a night-time joy ride on the River Murray.
NSW Maritime says the girl was riding on an inflatable tube towed by a jetski on the Murray at Moama, on the NSW-Victoria border, when the accident occurred about 8.30pm (AEDT) on Friday.
The tragedy has prompted authorities to issue a water safety appeal for the Australia Day long weekend.
NSW Maritime recreational boating general manager Brett Moore urged everyone taking part in water activities to take care.
"The tragic accident drives home the importance of safe boating during one of the busiest weekends on the aquatic calendar," Mr Moore said in a statement.
"Boating safety officers will be on duty over the whole long weekend on all the state's major waterways.
"They will be checking lifejackets and other safety equipment, and working with police on random breath checks to ensure skippers are below (the legal limit) 0.05.
