It was supposed to be just another relaxing Sunday evening out on the water. Erick Holanda Machado, a 31-year-old resident of Nashua, was cruising down the Merrimack River on his personal watercraft. But in a split second, a fun weekend outing turned into an absolute nightmare just before 5:30 p.m.
Machado was riding his Jet Ski through the Hudson stretch of the river when the unthinkable happened. His watercraft slammed right into the back of a moving pontoon boat. The impact sent him flying off his craft and straight into the water.
What happened next was horrific. After getting thrown into the river, Machado ended up directly in the path of the pontoon boat’s spinning propeller. The heavy blades struck him under the surface, causing massive, life-threatening injuries to both of his legs.
The scene on the water quickly turned into chaos. People on board the pontoon boat immediately dialed 911 for help. At the same time, nearby boaters riding another watercraft rushed over to help pull Machado out of the water and onto a boat so they could speed him toward the shore.
Over on the riverbank, emergency crews from the Hudson Police and Fire Departments were already waiting. As soon as the boat reached the shore, first responders jumped in and tried everything they could to save his life.
Despite their quick response and intense lifesaving efforts right there on the shoreline, Machado’s injuries were just too severe. Authorities had to make the tragic announcement at the scene that the 31-year-old had passed away.
The loss has sent shockwaves through the local community along the southern New Hampshire border. State police troopers and Marine Patrol officers are still looking into what caused the crash, though they do not suspect any foul play. For now, a young life was cut far too short on a quiet river evening.
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