An American jet ski world champion was found in a mysterious death, floating in the water after he vanished during a race in the Caribbean.
Eric Francis, 36, nicknamed “Eric the Eagle” and married to British world champion jet skier Sophie Francis, 26, was racing in the Marie-Galante race near Saint-Louis, Guadeloupe on Saturday. He had been a quadruple world champion in his P1 AquaX, the largest watercraft championship in the world.
“All of us at The Watercraft Journal are heartsick to learn of the passing of world champion racer, Eric ‘The Eagle’ Francis while competing in Guadalupe this weekend. Eric was one of the hardest-charging racers today, a loving husband to Sophie and a dedicated father, as well as a good friend to so, so many in our sport. Godspeed, Eric,” The Watercraft Journal wrote.
“Water conditions were deemed as ‘moderate’ for Saturday,” The Watercraft Journal noted. “After not checking in for the final stage of the event, a search party was sent. Eric’s undamaged Kawasaki Ultra 310X JetSki was located with Eric found unresponsive a short distance away.”
A GoFundMe page was launched to support Francis’ family. It stated, “While money won’t change anything, it will help take care of mom and the babies while they deal with the tragedy and loss of Eric! Any amount is appreciated and will be given to Sophie, Eric’s wife, for her and their daughters.”
“It is with astonishment and deep sadness that the President of the Region Ary Chalus learned of the death of the world champion of Jet Ski AquaX, the American Eric Francis,” Région Guadelupe tweeted. “The president and the entire regional team offer their sincere condolences to the family of Eric Francis.”
C’est avec stupeur et une profonde tristesse que le président de Région Ary Chalus a appris le décès du champion du monde de Jet Ski AquaX, l’américain Eric Francis.
Le président et toute l’équipe régionale, présentent à la famille d’Eric Francis ses sincères condoléances. pic.twitter.com/xfki3jl8aK
— Région Guadeloupe (@CRGuadeloupe) June 26, 2022
In November 2018, jet skier Manuel Aladro, known as “Lito,” was found unconscious with his Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 that he had been riding still idling nearby while the lanyard had not been disconnected from the handlebars. “Lito was loaded onto a rescue helicopter and airlifted to Kendall Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time after arriving at the hospital,” The Watercraft Journal reported, adding, “The cause of death was attributed to cardiac failure, particularly tragic considering both Lito’s age and physical fitness.”
“Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene off Krome Avenue, about two miles north of Okeechobee Road after a jet ski rider fell off the watercraft and suffered severe head injuries, just before 5 p.m., Thursday,” 7 News Miami reported.