Police hunt 'moron' jet-skiers who nearly killed paddleboarder, 44, in the sea by performing a hard turn at 50mph just 7ft away from him

Police are hunting a group of 'moron' jet skiers who mowed down and nearly killed a paddleboarder in the sea by performing a hard turn at 50mph just 7ft away from him.

Ben Gray was paddling in a low-speed area off Bournemouth beach when six jet skiers approached from behind at 50mph.

One of them deliberately crossed the marker buoys and performed a hard turn just 7ft away from Ben.

The manoeuvre caused an arc of water to 'blast' the 44-year-old off his Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP).

As he swam back towards his board he was almost struck and killed by a second jet ski that came within 3ft of him.

Shocked witnesses on the beach said they heard the group cheer at this before they zoomed off.

Ben, who said he feared for his life, managed to climb on his SUP and carried on paddling towards his destination of Avon Beach, Christchurch.

He encountered the jet skiers minutes later as one of their craft had broken down and he gave them a piece of his mind.

The matter has since been reported to Dorset Police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency who are investigating.

Last year new legislation aimed at cracking down on reckless jet skiers came into force and they are now subjected to the same regulations as ships.

Offenders caught dangerously riding a jet ski may now be prosecuted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and face a maximum sentence of two years in jail and an unlimited fine.

Ben, a self-employed builder, has taken to social media to appeal for witnesses who saw the group who he said deliberately targeted him.

He believes that they launched from a slipway in Poole Harbour and the jet ski that broke down was bright red.

Ben had just left a friend at Southbourne beach and was paddling away when the incident happened.

He said: 'I heard them coming. I looked over my shoulder and they were just outside the marker buoys, there was probably about 40ft or 50ft between us.

'They got louder and louder and I was ready for their wake which I am used to dealing with.

'When I turned my head again they were driving towards me. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw one start banking away. He turned on a sixpence and hard locked to the right.

'He was about two metres from me and I saw the underside of his hull. The arc of water just blew me off my board.

'Then I heard the same noise again and another guy had come into the zone and did the same move.

'He was within one metre of me, I could have touched the jet ski.

'For a nano-second I was resigned to my fate and that this was probably it.

'I was stunned, I couldn't believe what had happened.

'I got back on my board and they carried on towards Hengistbury Head.

'Then they came to a stop and I paddled straight for them Mad Max-style as I got closer I was yelling at them, calling them f******g idiots. I carried on to Avon Beach.

'I think jet skis attract a certain type of person and there is a disproportionate number of them who are morons who have no skill or knowledge of the water or courtesy of other water users.'

He added: 'The jet ski that broke down and had to be towed back was bright red. Surely somebody must have seen it being helped up a slipway in the Poole area.'

Witness Paul West posted on social media: 'We were on Southbourne beach when you passed by. We then noticed the group of about six jet skis heading in the same direction, loud and noisy.

'Then one of them sped up behind you, taking you out. From where we were standing it looked as if he was less than a metre from you and absolutely flying. We could hear the cheers from the others as you went down.'

Anni Jayne added: 'I saw them off Boscombe pier within the buoys. Bunch of k..s.'

Last year, shocking video emerged of about 30 jet skiers riding at speed within 15ft of swimmers and paddlers at Sandbanks beach in Poole.

Gary Elford, chairman of the Wessex Surfing Club, agrees with showing accountability to those putting people's lives at risk in the water.

He said: 'Having seen far too many near misses from reckless jet ski riding and occasionally other types of small-powered craft in and around surfers at local surf spots, I welcome any strengthening of legislation that gives the powers that be the ability to deal with the sections of the jet ski and power sports community.

'They seem to think they can ride however they want and wherever they want, with no regards for others safety in the water.'

A BCP Spokesperson said: 'Incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) on jet skis in our waters are rare. If there are any occurrences, it is our usual procedure to liaise with Dorset Police's Marine section to address concerns and take positive action to ensure the safety of other water users.'

From April to October in the Bournemouth and Poole area there are yellow marker buoys across the bay, 200 metres away from the low water mark. Watercraft in this area cannot go beyond 6 knots, annoy or endanger other beach users, run ashore or launch from the beach.'

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: 'At 1.23pm on June 2, Dorset Police received a report of jet skiers riding in an anti-social manner in the area of Hengistbury Head in Mudeford. Enquiries have been carried out and no arrests have been made.'