A bit more -
www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/nocookies?a=A.flavipes A NOVICE jetski rider has been handed a nominal fine of $500 for running down a champion windsurfer, with the Southport magistrate laying more blame on the Gold Coast jetski hire industry.
Melbourne-born medical scientist Christopher Gohr was on holidays when he hired the personal watercraft for an afternoon of fun on the Broadwater that turned to tragedy.
Two-time Queensland windsurfing champion Linda Pesschier was hit on February 28 when Mr Gohr failed to see her in his path.
She was rushed to hospital suffering a severely fractured leg and a cut to her face and has since been told she may not walk for a year.
Her horrific accidents came almost one year since Coroner John Hutton recommended a massive overhaul of the rental jetski industry after the death of an Indian tourist.
Mr Hutton recommended that legislation be developed including that all hired craft be mechanically speed-limited but, 12 months on, no legislation has been passed.
Magistrate Brian Kilmartin said Ms Pesschier's injuries were a further wake-up call for the industry.
He noted that Jetski Safaris at Marina Mirage were currently under investigation by water authorities and said they should shoulder the lion's share of the blame.
Magistrate Brian Kilmartin accepted that Gohr had not been acting stupidly or recklessly but was simply negligent in knowing where to look to avoid Ms Pesschier.
''It seems to be most unfortunate that he has been singled out for the blame on this,'' he said.
Gohr pleaded guilty to unsafe operation of a vessel causing grievous bodily harm and was extremely remorseful.
He was fined but no conviction was recorded.
