Investigation Underway in Fatal Jet Ski Accident that Killed Jewish Teen

FORT LAUDERDALE (VINnews) – Florida law enforcement is continuing its investigation into the August 12th tragic jet ski accident that took the life of a 14 year old Queens girl.

As previously reported on VIN News, Rachel Aliza Nisanov died when the jet ski she was riding on crashed into a dock near the 2800 block of Northeast 24th Court in Broward County.

Florida law enforcement chaplain and Chesed Shel Emes director Mark Rosenberg told VIN News that the Nisanovs – Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, his wife Ora, and daughters 16 year old Aviva Bracha and Rachel Aliza – went out onto the Intracoastal Waterway on two rented jet skis. The girls were thrown into the water at approximately 3:30 when their jet ski crashed into water. Rabbi Nisanov jumped off the jet ski he was riding with his wife and dove into the water to rescue his daughters.

The owner of the jet ski reportedly fled the scene after the accident.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the incident and is currently conducting an investigation. Agency spokesperson Ashlee Sklute said that no information was available at this time on whether the jet ski operator had proper permits, or whether any kind of instruction was given to the Nisanovs before they boarded the watercraft, pending the ongoing investigation. Under Florida law, a person must be 14 years old to operate any kind of personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, and 18 years old to rent one.

Also unknown is whether the jet ski owner verified if the Nisanovs had the proper training to ride jet skis. Florida state law requires anyone born after January 1, 1988 to have successfully completed either a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators-approved boating education course, or have passed an equivalency course or a temporary certificate exam, in addition to having a boating education identification card and a photo ID before operating any vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. Jet ski motors typically exceed that amount by a considerable margin.

The Nisanovs are well known in their hometown of Kew Gardens Hills. Rabbi Nisanov runs the Kehilat Sephardim Food Pantry out of his shul, Kehilat Sephardim of Ahavat Achim, with one online article describing him as “The Mayor of Main Street.”

“They are involved in everything and anything that is good,” said Rabbi Yaniv Meirov, founder of Chazaq. “Rabbi Nisanov is active in every single organization and cause and any simcha you go to, you can see him there. Mrs. Nisanov is also extremely involved in the community and has made countless shidduchim.”

Aviva Bracha remains stable in critical condition at Broward Health Medical Center, and the public is asked to daven for Aviva Bracha bas Ora.

The funeral for Rachel will be held at 6:30 PM in Forest Hills at the Bukharian Jewish Community Center located at 106-16 70th Avenue, with burial to follow on August 14th in Israel on Har Hamenuchos.