Jet Ski Capsizes In Ohio River Leaving 1 Dead

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A woman is dead and a man was rushed to the hospital after a jet ski capsized near a dam on the Ohio River Sunday afternoon.

The two were pulled from the water just before 4 p.m. near the Edgeworth Lock and Dam.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the victim as 24-year-old Melissa Mason of Aliquippa.

Witnesses say as they approached the jet ski they heard someone calling for help.

"That current is deadly," said Brian Milligan, a witness. "Their jet ski, it looked like a bobber - a fishing bobber - just bouncing up and down, shooting up and down."

Vince Rodgers and his family heard Mason's cries for help. They used what they had to do what they could to help Mason and her male companion.

"We cut our anchor and used our lines so we could make a throw line," said Rodgers. "She wasn't able to grab onto anything. She was already out at that time, so we used our hook from the boat; we extended it out, reached out, and we were able to hook the back of her life vest."

Mason did receive CPR all the way back to shore.

"I started CPR on her; and when I would breathe into her mouth, I had to turn her head to the side, all this water was coming out," said Melanie Prelec, a witness.

"I've been a nurse for 17 years," added Jill Nixon, another witness. "I've taught CPR for years, [you've got to] do what [you've got to] do."

The two were taken to Sewickley Valley Hospital where Mason was pronounced dead.

There is no word yet on the man's condition.

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