Parents of boy killed in jet ski accident say death was preventable

Monday, 24 November 2025 19:05

They are calling for a substantial change to the state's water safety laws.

The parents of the 15-year-old boy killed in a jet ski accident in Sydney's south have broken their silence to call for a substantial change to water safety laws.

Mitchell Irvine and his 14-year-old friend were thrown from a jet ski on the Georges River on the evening of July 22.

Mitchell died, while his friend lost his arm but was saved by first responders.

Mitchell Irvine's parents believe his death was preventable. The 15-year-old died in Sydney whilst riding a jetski.

The friends were both experienced riders and had lifejackets on at the time of the accident.

Mitchell's parents, Andrea and Neil Irvine, were left heartbroken and are grappling with their thoughts.

"I dropped him off at like 4pm, and then I said, 'Pick you up at 7pm'. And then he was, that was it," Ms Irvine said.

"I just keep thinking about, we just weren't there in his last moments to help him when he needed us, we just weren't there."

Mr Irvine added: "Most of us are like cats. We do get more than one chance in life. How could the kid like that only get like one chance, but multiple things go wrong on that one night?"

Every day, the pair make the 20-minute drive to Sylvania, where Mitchell spent his last moments.

"He loved to travel. He'd recently started working at Macca's. He loved anything from nippers to boxing to footy," Ms Irvine said.

"But he still took his teddy bears to bed, you know, he was still our baby."

They believe his death could have been prevented if stricter water safety laws were in place.

Every day, his parents make the 20-minute drive to Sylvania, where Mitchell spent his last moments.

"I think if they fix the age that people can actually drive a jet ski, which is currently 12, that will fix a number of problems," Mr Irvine said.

The Irvines want to see the age for personal watercraft licences lifted to 16 and high buoyancy lifejackets become mandatory.

Roads and Regional Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison said the Minns government will be reviewing both in the wake of the tragedy.

She will meet with the Irvines next week.

"We want to make sure, as a government, that we're pulling every single lever at our disposal in order to save lives," she said.

With an increase in both the size and number of these watercraft on our waters, the Irvines say there is no time to wait.

"You've got an opportunity to do something, do it. Look after our children, protect our future and make some change," Mr Irvine said.

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