Jet Skier Slams Grey Whale at Very High Speed off Vancouver Island (Video)

The incident happed in the water near Siwash Rock in Stanley Park. Richard Savage was on the shore at the time of the collision, and described what he saw.

"We sat there for some time watching the whale and, while we were doing that, a [Jet Ski] kind of ripped past Siwash Rock," Savage told CBC. "It was coming at great speed in between the sailboats and the shoreline again. The whale surfaced and the [Jet Ski] collided with the whale."

Allegedly, the jet ski driver was fell off the PWC after the collision and was calling for help.

"I feel devastated for the whale," Savage said. "It's a shame, really, that we can't coexist with these creatures."

Another witness, Kevin Connolly, captured the incident on camera.

"This guy had previously gone past on a Jet Ski, like he was going at a very high speed, and the whale had [surfaced] probably about five times in two minutes," Connolly said.

As for the whale, there’s no word yet on whether it sustained any injuries.

However, an investigation has been launched in the jet ski driver’s actions and potential recklessness. Jackie Hildering with the Marine Education and Research Society told the CBC that the incident should have never happened. Hildering said:

"The video is horrifying and is the worst case scenario or very close to it. They're often close to shore, and then a vessel traveling at that speed is completely disproportionate to what should be done to be safe, alert, and have the potential of being legal.”

Hildering added:

"That might allow for charges to be laid here. But this really appears reckless and careless.”