Friends jet skiing ends in woman airlifted to hospital

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - A fun Saturday out on the water ended with a woman being airlifted to the hospital, deputies say.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Lauren Bell, 25, and her co-worker, John Geletka, 49, had rented two jet skis near John's Pass Bridge.

The pair, both from Sarasota, was out on the water riding with their jet skis along Madeira Beach around 2:30 p.m.

As they were riding around Bell started to lead Geletka south of the beach.  Both were traveling at high speeds.

Officials say that Bell suddenly turned her jet ski to face in the direction of Geletka. The sudden turn left her boyfriend unable to stop in time. He hit her head-on. The impact caused Geletka's jet ski to go over the top of Bell hitting her face and head in the process.

She was then thrown from the jet ski.

After Geletkra passed over her, deputies say he immediately turned around and pulled Bell from the water.

He threw her onto his jet ski and rushed back to shore calling for help the whole time.

Emergency crews responded to the scene and Bell was airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center with serious injuries to her head and face.

Officials say that her injuries, though serious, are not life threatening.

Deputies do not believe that alcohol was a factor in the accident.