George Gouldsby Obituary, Accident Death: 19-Year-Old Killed, Passenger Injured in Lake Thunderbird WaveRunner Crash
The Harrah community is mourning the tragic loss of 19-year-old George Gouldsby, who died following a WaveRunner (jet ski) crash Thursday evening at Lake Thunderbird in Oklahoma. The incident, which also left a passenger injured, has prompted an ongoing investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
According to troopers, the crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. near the Hog Creek area of the lake. Gouldsby, a Harrah resident, was riding on the personal watercraft with a 20-year-old passenger from Oklahoma City when the WaveRunner entered a sharp curve. Both riders were thrown into the water during the impact.
Authorities said Gouldsby did not resurface after entering the lake. Emergency responders quickly launched a search and rescue operation, with crews working through the evening in an attempt to locate him. Despite these efforts, he was not found until the following morning, when a dive team recovered his body.
The passenger was rescued earlier after being pulled from the water by someone on shore. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive his injuries. Officials have not released further details about his condition.
Investigators confirmed that neither Gouldsby nor his passenger was wearing a life jacket at the time of the crash, a factor authorities say is often critical in survivability during watercraft accidents.
Witnesses at the scene reported challenging conditions on the lake that evening. One camper described strong winds, rough water, and whitecaps, noting that increased boat and jet ski traffic had made navigation more difficult in recent days. These environmental conditions are now expected to be part of the ongoing investigation.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol continues to review the circumstances surrounding the incident, including speed, water conditions, and the handling of the watercraft prior to the crash. No conclusions have yet been released.
News of Gouldsby’s death has deeply affected family, friends, and the wider Harrah community. Those who knew him are remembering him as a young life full of potential, now cut tragically short in an unexpected accident on the water.
As the investigation continues, authorities are again urging safety precautions on lakes and waterways, particularly the use of life jackets and caution in adverse conditions.