According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, 14-year-old Axel Oroman “took the jet ski without the consent of the owner and made his way to the river.”
Oroman was not a licensed operator. “A permit is required to drive a jet ski, but the information we got is that he took that jet ski without the consent of the owner and made his way to the river,” Romero told the media this afternoon.
He also confirmed that Oroman was riding with his friend, Ray Alvarez, when the accident happened.
“Alvarez reported that Axel Oroman lost control of the jet ski and both of them fell into the river. Searches were made, but he was not located. Further searches were done on Sunday, and the body of Axel Oroman was recovered from the river,” Romero said. “We are now awaiting a postmortem examination.”
Romero said that neither man was wearing a life vest and the two were known friends.
“An investigation will be carried out; that is the initial information we have at this time, but a full investigation will be conducted. Also, an investigation will be done by the Port Authority,” Romero added.
Meanwhile, the Belize Port Authority issued a reminder earlier today stating, “Under Belize’s maritime regulations, the operation of any personal watercraft, including jet skis, requires a valid Certificate of Competency.”
It added, “All jet skis must be registered and licensed with the Belize Port Authority. It is also mandatory that life jackets be worn at all times when operating or riding on personal watercraft.”
Romero stated that the investigation will include determining whether the jet ski involved was properly registered.