A man is missing after he gave his life jacket to a woman who was drowning following a Jet Ski accident at Bluffer’s Park on Sunday night. The incident occurred around 9:15 p.m. when both individuals fell off the rented Jet Ski. The woman was rescued by a passing Jet Ski rider, but the man has not yet been located.

Toronto police reported that the two riders had only one life jacket between them. Duty Inspector Lhawang Jongdong stated that one of the individuals could not swim, while the other had limited swimming experience. According to Jongdong, the man handed his life jacket to the woman as they struggled in the water. She was able to signal for help and was taken back to shore by the passing Jet Ski operator.

Search efforts by the police marine unit and the Canadian Coast Guard have not yielded any results so far. "It’s hard to fathom anyone finding him alive at this point," Jongdong said. He met with the man’s family, who are described as "devastated" but still "optimistic and hopeful" about his recovery.

Investigators are looking into the rental agreement of the Jet Ski and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Jongdong noted that it is still early in the investigation, with a focus on recovery efforts. He did not disclose the identities of the individuals involved or their relationship.

Firefighters and paramedics responded initially, but the police marine unit is leading the investigation. Raj Mehta, CEO of the Jet Ski rental company Jetti, highlighted several safety concerns that may have contributed to the accident. He emphasized that Transport Canada regulations require both the operator and passenger to wear life jackets at all times. "The fact that there was only one life jacket is very concerning," Mehta stated.

Mehta also pointed out that the two individuals should not have been on the water after sunset, which occurred around 8 p.m. on Sunday, an hour before the man was reported missing. He noted that Jet Skis must have legal navigation lights after dark, and most do not come equipped with them. Jetti requires renters to return 15 minutes before sunset and sends staff to retrieve customers before it gets dark.

While Mehta suggested potential negligence on the part of the rental company, there is currently no evidence to indicate that the company is responsible for the incident. Distress calls and collisions involving personal watercraft like Jet Skis have been increasing, according to the Toronto police marine unit.

Some residents and local politicians are advocating for a ban on Jet Skis and similar watercraft in Toronto’s waterfront areas, especially as the city tests "motorized watercraft exclusion zones." Concerns have also been raised about lax rental licensing rules, which allow vendors to issue temporary licenses to anyone over 16 after a brief safety briefing. Last month, police issued $17,000 in fines during a crackdown on illegal rental companies and unsafe boating practices.