A 19-year-old Dutchman is expected to be charged in connection with the tragic death of his teenage friend in Wednesday’s jet ski accident at St George’s Bay, Times of Malta has learnt.

Sources said the suspect had failed a breathalyser test soon after the fatality.

The incident occurred at about 3.30pm when the victim, Mart de Ruiter, 19, was in the company of two friends, each riding jet skis they had just hired.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that, for some reason, the suspect lost control of the jet ski and collided with that of the victim,” the sources said.

A qualified medical practitioner who happened to be on the spot administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but Mr de Ruiter died a short while later, they added.

Incident has fuelled a debate over whether it was time to tighten controls over the renting of jet skis

They pointed out that although he failed a breathalyser test, the teenager who lost control of the jet ski insisted he had not consumed any drinks that morning but the night before. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.

The incident has fuelled a debate over whether it was time to tighten controls over the renting of jet skis.

Police sources pointed out that the same rigorous controls in place for owners of the powerful pleasure craft should apply across the board.

"We need to ensure that anyone wanting to hire a jet ski is skilled enough to manoeuvre it and, if need be, introduce basic qualifications or ensure that rookies are only allowed to use them under the strict surveillance of a qualified instructor," they said.