Skier dies at Southern 80

Mr Wentworth’s death lead to an immediate cancellation of the rest of the weekend’s events.

It prevented Deniliquin Boat Club members Bryce and Kane Horne from going for a third consecutive win in their Unlimited Inboard Naturally Aspirated Expert Echuca Performance.

Murray River Police District Chief Inspector Paul Huggett confirmed an investigation had been opened into the incident but declined to comment on the specifics due to the early nature of the inquiry.

The exact location was not disclosed by the police due to the incident being deemed an active crime scene, but it is believed to have been near Arnold Bend in Wharparilla.

Inspector Huggett confirmed that Mr Wentworth was from regional Victoria and said other reported injuries were from other incidents.

He said this death would reverberate through the close-knit Echuca Moama community for months to come.

“These incidents are an absolute tragedy. They affect all of the community from emergency services to the bloke that owns the fish and chip shop,” he said.

“This will affect the community for months to come when everyone goes home. It’s an absolute tragedy, but I’m very proud of all emergency services for the courtesy of respect and professionalism that they’ve conducted in their duties this afternoon.”

Moama Water Sports Club president Steve Shipp issued the following statement regarding the incident on Sunday.

“Unfortunately, during this morning’s events at the 2024 Southern 80 water ski race, there was an incident involving one of our competing teams where a skier fell and could not be revived at the scene.

“Racing was immediately suspended and has since been cancelled.

“The club is cooperating with New South Wales Police and Transport for New South Wales - Maritime, in their investigation into the incident.

“As a ski racing family we are here to support the affected family and team members as well as the wider ski racing community in this terribly sad time.”

According to an eyewitness account from a nurse, Mr Wentworth fell into the water near Arnold Bend in Wharparilla and was fatally wounded.

The nurse at the Arnold Bend Camping Area said she believed the incident occurred when a boat driver tried to move away from another racing boat that got too close.

She said the other skier immediately raised their arm to signal that someone was in the water, but by the time their boat was able to turn around, it was too late.

The witness rushed down to the scene of the incident, but was told that Mr Wentworth had no pulse.

The death is the seventh fatality in the event since 1987, and the first since 2017.

The Southern 80 Ski Race covers 126 bends between Torrumbarry Weir and Victoria Park Boat Ramp in Echuca, with teams consisting of a driver, observer and two skiers.

Boats can travel at speeds close to 200km/h in the event.

In the aftermath of the tragic death, people have taken to social media to express their condolences but also to suggest the ski race be removed from the local event calendar.

No-one involved in the event has commented on the future of the ski race to date, but Murray River Council has said it has “always been strong supporters of the Southern 80 event and will continue to support the Moama Water Sports Club in their future efforts”.

“We send our support and condolences to the affected family and team members, as well as the whole ski racing community in the aftermath of the tragic accident at this year’s Southern 80 Ski Race,” the council said in a prepared statement.

“This will be a very sad time for everyone involved including the local organisers, volunteers and the community at large.

“Council, along with all other relevant stakeholders, will be briefed on the circumstances surrounding the accident when deemed appropriate by the New South Wales Police.

“Investigations surrounding the incident and matters of safety will continue to be led by Moama Water Sports Club and New South Wales Police.”