UPDATE 4:39 p.m.:
Authorities have identified the two people killed in a jet ski crash on Marco Island over the weekend.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said 67-year-old Stephen Mariani and 49-year-old Rita Mariani died Sunday afternoon after their jet ski slammed into a boat on a lift in Caxambas Bay.
WATCH TO SEE WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE VICTIMS:
FWC said they were thrown into the water and died from their injuries.
Police confirmed Stephen Mariani was a former Marco Island officer but did not provide additional details. Court records show the couple lived on Marco Island.
Patrick Mosner, a firefighter visiting from Virginia, said he was at Caxambas Park when he saw rescue crews arrive.
“I was up here around 5 p.m. sitting over there on the picnic tables and saw a fire rescue boat sitting out here sort of going in circles,” Mosner said.
He added that police began taping off the area and asking people to leave.
“A police officer came up and said I’m going to ask you to leave because we have an incident going here. So I started to leave slowly and then I saw the fire boat pull up here to the docks,” Mosner said.
FWC said the crash remains under investigation and urged anyone with video of the incident to come forward.
Mosner added that the tragedy underscores the importance of water safety.
“Make sure you’re wearing a life jacket, control your speed, know the weather,” he said.
UPDATE 11AM:
FWC has identified the victims in this investigation: Officers said those onboard — Stephen R. Mariani, 67, and Rita Mariani, 49, both of Marco Island, were thrown upon impact and died from their injuries.
This incident remains under investigation. The FWC is asking anyone who witnessed the accident or anyone who may have video footage or information to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
UPDATE 8:42 p.m.:
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said a jet ski crash killed two people on Sunday afternoon (Sept 21).
According to the agency, two people were riding a jet ski on Caxambas Bay on Marco Island.
FWC said they crashed into a docked boat on a boat lift, killing them both.
Their identities have not been revealed and FWC is still investigating the crash.
ORIGINAL REPORTING:
Florida Fish and Wildlife are investigating after Marco Island Police said two bodies were found in the water near Caxambas Court.
Authorities recovered the bodies around 3:42 p.m., according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office.
FWC, the agency in charge of the investigation, is working to provide more information about the investigation.
