All: The 10 year old boy who died on Saturday on Petite Lake near Lake Villa, IL was my law partner's son. We are all in shock and disbelief. We still have only limited information about the accident, but it is worth reminding everyone to be careful pulling skiers and tubers - particularly on crowded lakes - and to make sure that you are looking forward while pulling skiers. Let the spotters do the spotting so you can see others in the water while you are driving. Get immediately back to your skiers if they fall. Tell your skiers to hold up a ski to alert other boats that they are in the water. Try to pull your skiers clear of areas where there are high concentrations of boat traffic - or consider using the lake on a less -busy day or a less busy time of day. And, obviously, alcohol has no place in waterskiing - particularly for the boat driver. Unfortunately, tubers who fall off tubes usually have nothing to hold up to warn other boats that they are in the water. It is vital to return to a fallen tuber immediately. Please keep my partner, and his wife and their three surviving children in your prayers. MarkBano
