27-Year-Old Telangana Student Dies In Jet Ski Accident In US

Venkataramana Pittala was only months away from completing his graduate studies with his graduation scheduled for May.

Venkataramana Pittala was a student pursuing a Master's Degree at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). ( Image Source :GoFundMe/SrijanB )

A 27-year-old student from Telangana lost his life in a jet ski collision in Key West, Florida. The victim identified as Venkataramana Pittala was a student pursuing a Master's Degree at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). The fatal accident reportedly took place near Fury Playground, just north of Wisteria Island, shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday (March 9).

According to WPLG Local 10, citing the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, reported that the collision involved a jet ski operated by a 14-year-old boy. However, the 14-year-old escaped without any injuries. The circumstances leading to this accident are currently under investigation by the authorities.

In Florida, the minimum age to operate a personal watercraft is 14.

The Indian student community, along with Pittala's friends and family, have been left in shock. It may be noted that Pittala was only months away from completing his graduate studies with his graduation scheduled for May.

Previously, Pittala obtained a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy from NTR University of Health Sciences in Andhra Pradesh.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been established to raise funds for the repatriation of Pittala's mortal remains to his family in Telangana. In the note, Pittala's friend said, "The collision between two jet skis resulted in his untimely death. During this difficult time, we urgently seek your support to raise funds to send his body to his family for his final rites and other expenses and burdens." 

According to reports, this is the death of an eighth Indian student in the US this year.