skater powerboat crash

• New Terms of Use
• New Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices
• Closed Caption Policy
• Accessibility Statement

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions . Legal Statement . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper .

2 Powerboat Racers Die After High Speed Crash in Key West

Nov. 9, 2011: In this photo, provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, rescue personnel, right, work on extracting offshore powerboat racers Robert M. Morgan of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman of Kaiser, Mo., after their 46-foot catamaran was involved in an accident, during the first of three race days at the Key West World Championship in Key West, Fla. (AP/Florida Keys News Bureau)

KEY WEST, Fla. – Two offshore powerboat racers died Wednesday after their catamaran went airborne at high speed and crashed, marring the opening of three days of racing at the Key West World Championship, officials said.

Big Thunder Marine — a 46-foot Skater catamaran with four 1,200 horsepower engines that competed in the Superboat Unlimited Class — came down so hard its right front hull was severely damaged on the third lap of Wednesday's race inside Key West Harbor, organizers said.

Superboat International President John Carbonell said he witnessed the crash, which occurred adjacent to a spectator area.

"He was probably going about 130 mph and the boat's propellers were barely in the water," Carbonell said. "The boat apparently caught some air and went bow (front) up; straight into the air, came down and went backwards."

He identified the dead as Robert M. Morgan, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman, of Kaiser, Mo. They were piloting the boat as throttleman and driver respectively.

Carbonell said rescue divers deployed to the accident site in less than a minute. Both men were removed alive from the wreckage of the catamaran and transported to Lower Keys Medical Center, he added.

Tillman died either before or just after arrival at the hospital, and Morgan apparently soon after leaving Key West aboard an air trauma ambulance, according to organizers.

Carbonell said the force of the boat coming down was powerful and crushing.

Morgan had come out of retirement to race with SBI this year, Carbonell said.

"He told me a few days ago that this (Key West) was his last hurrah," he said "He was a helluva of a nice guy and is going to be missed."

Despite the accident and rescue efforts, the race later continued. But Carbonell said he stopped the race before the scheduled seventh lap due to another accident, which stretched medical and safety resources. Scott Roman of Marlton, N.J., and Ron Roman of Lumberton, N.J., escaped injury after their Motley Crew boat overturned.

Carbonell said that the world championship will continue with scheduled races Friday and the finals Sunday.

"This is a very dangerous sport and the racers know that," he said. "You push it to the edge and see how far you go."

Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!

• 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
• Email Newsletters
• Boat of the Year
• 2024 Freshwater Boat and Gear Buyers Guide
• 2024 Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Water Sports Boat Buyers Guide
• 2023 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide
• Cruising Boats
• Pontoon Boats
• Fishing Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• Water Sports
• Boat Walkthroughs
• What To Look For
• Best Marine Electronics & Technology
• Watersports Favorites Spring 2022
• Boating Lab
• Boating Safety

Keith Holmes Dies in Racing Crash

• By Boating Staff
• Updated: August 25, 2017

Michigan powerboat racer Keith Holmes died following the July 30 crash of his 40-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran American Ethanol/Cat Can Do during the St. Clair River Classic in St. Clair, Michigan, said St. Clair County Sheriff Marine Division Lt. Paul Reid. Holmes was the throttleman in the boat. American Ethanol/Cat Can Do driver Jamie Sartin of Norcross, Michigan, was injured in the incident and is in fair condition at St. John Hospital in Detroit, according to a hospital spokesman on August 2.

A native of Canada, Holmes was 55. In addition to owning the offshore racing team, Holmes owned and operated CK Motorsports, a high-performance marine rigging, service and repair business in Nunica, Michigan.

The incident involved Offshore Powerboats Association Extreme Class entries American Ethanol/Cat Can Do and Miss GEICO , a 44-foot Victory catamaran throttled by Scott Begovich of Jupiter, Florida, and driven by Marc Granet of Boca Raton, Florida.

Reid said Monday afternoon the crash remains under investigation. He said Miss GEICO was on an outside track heading due east while Cat Can Do was on an inside track heading northeast when they “ended up in each other’s path.”

According to local media reports, photographer Paul Kemiel was on hand in St. Clair on Sunday. Kemiel has photographed powerboat races for 36 years, and he had a personal, 30-year relationship with Holmes, both as a customer and a friend.

“I always valued his friendship,” Kemiel said. “Every time I saw him, we always checked in, and it was like we had just talked yesterday. He always had a smile on his face. I never saw him being cross. … He was definitely a true benefit to the sport of offshore powerboat racing. He’s gonna be missed. He was one of the best in the business.”

A post on the American Ethanol/Cat Can Do website asks that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of Keith Holmes for the Great Lakes Chapter.

• More: Boats , Performance Boats , powerboat by boating

Boat Test: 2024 Regal 38 Surf

Using Hydrofoils to Improve Boat Performance

Six Boats Built for Adventure

Hyper Electric Marine’s Electric-Outboard Pontoon Boat

MasterCraft Celebrates International Women’s Day With Fourth Annual ‘Let Her Rip’ Campaign

Garmin EchoMap Ultra 2 Series

Should You Abandon Ship During a Boat Fire?

Top Gear for Boating Adventures

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Florida Travel + Life
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Boating may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Boating. A Bonnier LLC Company . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Chevy Hardcore

Diesel army, lsx magazine, off road xtreme, street muscle.

• Advertising

© 2024 Power Automedia. All rights reserved.

Share this article.

Popular kentucky drag racer killed in boating accident.

Popular Northern Kentucky area drag racer and businessman Art McMahan tragically lost his life on Friday in a boating accident that occurred on Georgia’s Lake Lanier, just ahead of the Pirates of Lanier Charity Poker Run held over the weekend. McMahan, 46, along with his wife Michelle, 45, and friends Anthony and Tammy Reece, both age 44, were all killed in the crash. The bodies were recovered during extensive searches of the lake and its banks on Saturday and Sunday.

McMahan, from Mount Washington, Kentucky, has been a well-liked and polarizing figure in racing circles for years, competing in many of the early OSCA series races in the Midwest with a range of race cars. Most recently, McMahan had campaigned a turbocharged 1968 Camaro and a supercharged 1957 Chevrolet Pro Modified car, and had also acquired a screw-blown Pro Extreme Camaro in late 2015. Earlier this year, he purchased the X275 Mustang formerly driven by Jack Vanover, and had also assumed ownership of the Lake Cumberland Dragway in Kentucky.

McMahan, described by friends on social media and in local television interviews as one who would do anything for anyone, with a larger than life personality, operated a contracting business by day and lived the fast life by night, with a fleet of motorcycles, powerboats, race and muscle cars, offroad vehicles, and trucks in his collection. Services for the McMahan’s are scheduled for Friday in Mount Washington.

“Our parents meant the world to us, we never realized how much impact they had on people’s lives. They both were such amazing, loving and caring parents, grandparents, children, siblings and friends to so many. They were one of a kind and will truly be missed,” the family said in a prepared statement.

Latest News

Reviewing The EngineLabs’ 1,200HP Giveaway Gen-III HEMI Project

This For-Sale Texas Drag Strip Needs To Be Saved

Hemi-Headed No Time Mustang Destroys Driveshaft On Dyno

Comedian Jeff Dunham Goes Drag Racing With The Dodge Demon 170

Drag Racing in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network.

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more free online magazines.

We think you might like...

Watch CBS News

Third Power Boat Racer Dies In Key West Race

November 12, 2011 / 3:52 PM EST / CBS Miami

KEY WEST (CBS4)- A third Florida offshore powerboat racer died from injuries during the 31st annual Key West World Championships, Super Boat International reported.

Meanwhile, his teammate is in good condition following a Friday accident at the championship event.

Joey Gratton, of Sarasota, was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami in critical condition and later died, according to officials with Super Boat International, the event's sanctioning body.

Super Boat International released a statement Saturday announcing Gratton's death.

"Gratton, a veteran throttleman of offshore racing will be greatly missed," the release read. "Our prayers are with the entire Gratton family and racing community."

Gratton's death marks the third power boat racer death since the championship race began Wednesday.

Big Thunder Marine, a 46-foot Skater catamaran (#100) with four 1,200 hp engines, crashed during the third lap of Wednesday's race inside Key West Harbor. Robert M. Morgan of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman of Kaiser, Mo., were the throttleman and driver respectively piloting the boat.

Story: Deadly Crash On 1st Day Of Keys Power Boat Races

Rescue divers were deployed within a minute of the accident and the crew members were transferred to Lower Keys Medical Center. Both died later, according to Rodrick Cox, public relations director for Superboat International, the world championship's public relations director.

Gratton and teammate Stephen Page, owner and driver of Page Motorsports, rolled over during the final lap of Friday's race at checkpoint 1. The 38-foot Superboat 850-class Skater catamaran, rolled over twice in turn 1 of the 6.5-mile course Friday. No other boats were involved in the accident.

Page, a Fort Myers resident, was admitted in good condition to Lower Keys Medical Center, officials said. He has since been released from the hospital.

The Page Motorsports facebook page posted was filled with condolence messages from fans. A photo of Gratton and his partner, Priscilla, was also posted with a comment that read:

"Joey and Priscilla in happier times.....We are deeply saddened and stunned by the tragic sudden loss of Joey.....Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the Gratton family especially Priscilla, Brock and Blake, as well as Steve and Maisey Page....You will be missed Joey.....Our deepest sympathies, Terrie & Ron."

A memorial was held Saturday afternoon for Gratton.

For more on the Key West World Championship visit http://www.superboat.com

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Andy Newman of the Florida Keys News Bureau contributed material for this report)

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Woman dies after apparent shooting inside Tamarac home

Miami Beach declares midnight curfew for this Spring Break weekend to curb "dangerous mayhem"

FIU Town Hall: Panel of experts discuss importance of Hispanic vote

South Florida warmth continues, record heat possible in Miami over the weekend

Video of powerboat crash that killed two Lake of the Ozarks men

by Bill Pollock | Nov 10, 2011 | Sports Features

Big Thunder Marine, a 46-foot Skater catamaran with four 1,200 horsepower engines, crashed during the Key West World Championships. Robert M. Morgan, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman, of Kaiser, Mo., were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. Race officials say both men later died from their injuries.

Share this:

Search this site, never miss a post.

Email address:

Popular Articles

• New plan for stroke and heart attack treatment
• Show-Me Institute study slams high-speed rail proposal
• Chaplain shortage in National Guard
• Court upholds legislation that would boost deputy pay
• Guard contemplates New Madrid disaster

• In the News
• Speed On The Water Videos
• Racing Reports
• Countdown To The 2024 Miami International Boat Show
• Coverage Of The 2023 Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout
• Coverage From The 2023 Key West Poker Run And Offshore World Championships
• Image of the Week
• Safe Boating
• New Products
• Featured Boat
• Latest Projects
• Year in Review Print Magazine
• Subscriber Login/Logout
• Subscribe to SOTW Magazine
• Buy Single Digital Mag Issues
• Magazine Archives
• Magazine Features
• Events Calendar
• Advertising Information
• Article Plaques
• Industry Partners

Three Injured in Cállate Skater Crash on Lake Havasu

Through various online reports and other industry sources, speedonthewater.com has confirmed that owner Larry Guillen and project manager Brad Stewart (the owner of  E-Ticket Performance Boats ), and one other passenger, were involved in a high-speed accident while running  Cállate , a  Skater Powerboats  368 catamaran that was covered extensively on speedonthewater.com (see the  Project thread ), on Lake Havasu, the Colorado River-fed lake that border’s Arizona and California.

Larry Guillen enjoying Cállate, his 36-foot Skater, as he cruises into Pirates Cove Resort last summer. Photo courtesy Ginny Scott

According to Havasu Scanner Feed , local authorities responded to the incident, which reportedly happened when the 36-foot cat turned hard to avoid a personal watercraft near Black Meadow Landing. There is also a news report online at LakeHavasuNews.com .

According to reports all three occupants were wearing lifevests and the boat’s safety cutoff lanyard was in use. Safety teams brought the occupants to Contact Point where Guillen was transferred to Havasu Regional Medical Center. Reports surfaced that Stewart has a broken shoulder and that Guillen suffered a severe head laceration and is in emergency surgery. The third passenger, whose name hasn’t been confirmed, was reportedly OK and declined medical treatment.

Editor’s note: Speedonthewater.com will update this story as reports become available.

Related stories Following the Skater 368 Callate Project

Outerlimits Displaying At Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction

Outerlimits to celebrate customers at lake of the ozarks sho....

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

Video: Fatal powercat crash on the Potomac River, USA

• Katy Stickland

Two men died when their powercat crashed during a racing event on the Potomac River near Fairview, Maryland. An investigation is now underway.

*WARNING: DISTRESSING FOOTAGE*

Two men killed while participating in the Potomac River Radar Run have been named by the police.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police identified the driver of the 36 Skater as James Melley, 49. His throttle man was 61-year-old Garth Tagge.

Both men were from Georgia and were well known on the racing circuit.

Video footage of the crash shows the 36 Skater speeding along the water before flipping over several times.

Both men were thrown from the open cockpit of the vessel.

Their bodies were later recovered from the water.

Police have said the 36-foot boat is capable of reaching speeds of 190 miles per hour.

The crash on the Potomac happened on 15 October, 2016, on a stretch of the radar run course close to Tim’s II Restaurant and Crabhouse, near Fairview Beach in King George County, Virginia.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police has jurisdiction over the Potomac River which is why the crash is being investigated by its officers.

In August, Tagge and Melley won the Top Cat – Non-Professional award at the 2016 Lake Of The Ozarks Shootout.

The pair reached a top speed of 194 mph.

According to the event’s website, the Lake Rescue Shootout started in 1988 as an event in which “many local boats participated simply to establish who had the fastest boat.”

Since then it has become a firm fixture of the racing calendar.

Video: Three families lose everything in Paradise Marina fire

A fundraising campaign has been launched after three families lost their boats and all their possessions during a fire at…

Wreck of capsized yacht in San Francisco Bay is salvaged

The 34-foot boat, Khaleesi, has been towed to Pier 39 in San Francisco Bay after it was salvaged. The vessel…

One Killed, Another Is Injured During Offshore Power Boat Race

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

One man died and another was injured Sunday when their boat turned over and sank during competition in the Trump Castle World Offshore Power Championships near Atlantic City.

Kevin Brown, 37, of Rocky River, Ohio, who was driving the Team Skater power boat, was killed and the boat’s throttleman, James Dyke, was slightly injured in the accident. The two were competing in the championship race for boats in the Union Internationale Motonautique Class II, said Pam Sinderbrand, a spokeswoman for Trump Castle.

Sinderbrand said Dyke, of Bay Village, Ohio, was in stable condition at an Atlantic City hospital, which officials declined to identify. An age for Dyke was not immediately available.

The 32-foot racing boat was headed southwest about 2 1/2 miles from the starting line when its bow launched into the air, hooked the water and rolled, landing upright, according to a statement released by the American Power Boat Assn., the sport’s national governing body. The association said Brown died instantly from head and neck injuries.

Sinderbrand said Team Skater had been racing for about 28 minutes at about 73.57 m.p.h. She said the boat was traveling faster than the average speed of the winning boat.

More to Read

Cease-fire talks with Israel and Hamas are expected to resume Sunday in Qatar

March 16, 2024

After a writer expressed sympathy for Israelis in an essay, all hell broke loose at a literary journal

March 12, 2024

Why is Haiti so chaotic? Leaders used street gangs to gain power. Then the gangs got stronger

March 15, 2024

Start your day right

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Calmes: One Trump puppet stands between Ukraine and the aid it needs

World & Nation

Iceland volcano erupting for the fourth time in 3 months, sending lava skyward

At Gridiron dinner, Biden says that of 2 presidential candidates, 1 is mentally unfit: ‘The other’s me’

‘If I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath’: Trump campaign downplays remarks

3 deaths in one week won’t stop Key West…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

Daily News e-Edition

Evening e-Edition

• E-Newspaper
• National News
• Puzzles & Games
• Transportation

News National News

3 deaths in one week won’t stop key west powerboat race.

The show must go on.

The Florida organizers of a powerboat racing championship are holding its finals on Sunday, despite the fact that three people have died in the high-octane competition since Wednesday.

“We will race,” John Carbonell, director of the Key West Super Boat World Championship, told The Miami Herald .

“I’m not twisting anybody’s arm… If somebody’s concerned or scared, they shouldn’t go out there. They know when they come to a race the potential of accidents to themselves and other people.”

The latest death was announced on Saturday.

Offshore racing champion Joey Gratton, 59, of University Park, Fla., died at a Miami hospital, hours after after his 38-foot Skater powerboat rolled over twice during the final turn of Friday’s seven-lap race, the Herald reported.

His partner, Stephen Page, 57, of Fort Meyers, survived the crash and was treated at a Keys hospital before being released on Saturday afternoon.

That fatal crash came two days after another pair of racing vets, Bob Morgan, 74, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffery Tillman, 47, of Kaiser, Mo., met a watery end when their 46-foot, 1,200-horsepower catamaran soared into the air and slammed into the sea upside down, crushing the cockpit.

The three deaths marked the deadliest week in the history of the Key West event and the first fatalities in 16 years, according to the Herald.

Offshore powerboat races are notoriously treacherous. Pilots carve loops in ocean “tracks” at more than 100 mph, often times navigating through gusting winds and choppy conditions.

Organizers say that racers know they are putting their lives on the line.

“Everybody’s pushing the envelope a little hard,” racer Lee Austin, 67, told the Herald. “I’ve been racing all my life. It’s something we love to do. You get killed faster on I-95 than you do here.”

At a memorial for Gratton attended by some 200 racers on Saturday afternoon, Tony Marcantonio, who was piloting the boat Page was chasing during the deadly race, said participants would probably lay off the throttle a bit during Sunday’s finals.

“We’ll probably take turns a little slower, we’ll probably take speeds a little slower, and personally, I’ll race with those guys on my mind, like I did yesterday,” Marcantonio told the Associated Press.

With News Wire Services

More in News

National News | Luke Bryan’s bar denies overserving missing student Riley Strain

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Transportation | nyc yellow taxi demand still slow post-pandemic, thousands of medallions idle.

Crime and Public Safety | Stray bullets hit two in Tompkins Square Park in East Village; NYPD says injuries not life-threatening

Crime and Public Safety | Harlem bodega worker stabbed as teen crew steals snacks: NYPD

1 dead in boat crash near Captree; man charged with BWI

One person was killed in the waters off Captree Island after the operator of a Skater powerboat, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, collided with a fishing boat under the Robert Moses Causeway, Coast Guard and Suffolk County police officials said. (June 23, 2012) Credit: John Roca

A West Islip man died in the waters off Captree Island early Saturday after his boat, headed to a shark-fishing tournament, was broadsided by a powerboat under the Robert Moses Causeway.

The operator of the powerboat was charged with boating while intoxicated, Suffolk police officials said.

The victim, a passenger on the 38-foot fishing boat, was identified as Christopher Mannino, 39.

His body was recovered in the afternoon by a police diver in the Great South Bay -- more than eight hours after the 4:52 a.m. crash.

The powerboat, a 25-foot Skater, capsized after ramming the fishing vessel, punching a gaping hole in its side, police said.

The biggest news, politics and crime stories in Suffolk County, in your inbox every Friday at noon.

By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy .

Five fishermen were aboard the Silver Bullet, a 1967 Hatteras out of West Islip . Only Mannino tumbled into the water. The others were rescued from the sinking vessel, police said.

Police said Brian Andreski, 26, of Dix Hills , the operator of the powerboat, had a male passenger aboard. Both were ejected into the water but rescued by authorities.

They were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. No court date for Andreski has been scheduled.

At the time of the crash, the fishing boat, with another following close behind, was on its way to the Bay Shore Mako Tournament, said Gino Giorgini, of Captree Island, a friend of two of the rescued fishermen.

"They are lifelong tournament fishermen," he said.

The Silver Bullet was captained by Richard Leigh Jr., according to his mother, Barbara.

The damaged boats were taken to the Suffolk County Marine Bureau in Great River , where officials were to inspect the wreckage.

Lou Diaz, 37, of West Islip, took his kids to the Bay Shore marina to watch the boats arrive for the tournament.

The accident, he said, "just puts a chill through your body. You just have to be careful. It's not always safe out there."

With Robert Brodsky, Matthew Chayes and Nathaniel Herz

Most Popular

Latest videos.

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• Main Forums
• General Boating Discussions

1 killed at Lake Cumberland Poker Run ??

• Add to quote

Driver / owner was Kevin Sellars. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.  

Attachments

Read about it yesterday afternoon/evening (Sat.) Very sad indeed. Thoughts and prayers to the family!  

RIP, that's a shame. I hate to here and read these stories.  

Sad News....... RIP  

Thoughts and Prayers  

Truly a terrible situation, Thoughts and prayers with all. UPDATED 1 AM ET SUNDAY The running of the 2008 Lake Cumberland Poker Run was called off Saturday, after a tragic accident happened shortly after the first flight of very high speed boats departed from State Dock on the first leg of the run toward Conley Bottom and Burnside Marinas. According to reports, a 2003 Skater 36 catamaran based in Greenwood IN flipped on a boat wake while traveling at a speed of around 130 miles per hour. The pilot and passenger were pulled from the water by bystanders and water patrol, and rushed to the ramp at Jamestown Marina, where they were transferred to EMS ambulance and taken to the ER at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs. Russell County Coronor Larry Skaggs is reported by local radio WJRS-104.9 as confirming the driver, Kevin Sellers of the Indianapolis area, died from his injuries. A post on this forum says that he was unmarried with no children. Sellers was quickly recovered after the crash and trained paramedics reportedly gave him continuous CPR on the way in. He may have had a serious neck injury. The passenger, Craig Stumpf, also from the Indianapolis area, reportedly suffered a possible broken knee and bruises from his ejection into the water, and was hospitalized but is reportedly recovering. Witnesses say the crash occured when Sellers hit a wave/wake while trying to turn a corner as he chased a fast boat in front of him. According to a report from Marine Assist on this forum: "(Sellers) was attempting to pass the boat in the lead. The Skater came down 'wrong' on the starboard rear and began to chine walk. The starboard bow dug in to the water, which broke the hole throught the hull you see. That water forced through the starboard sponson like a cannon and blew out the transom. The weight and drag caused the boat to flip over, throw the occupants out and take on water. It partially sank, leaving only 12 feet of the bow above the water." The boat was powered by twin Sterling 1150 HP engines and reportedly capable of speeds up to 150 mph. The incident happened in the vicinity of Difficulty Creek. This is around the bend east-bound and uplake from State Dock and Wolf Creek. It is the first larger creek section of the lake on the south shore just as the lake turns left to head east. The next lake section from that point is Harmon Creek. The rest of the actual "run" was called off. The poker cards were drawn on the dock by the registered participants. Several of the fast boats in the first flight made high speed runs up the lake and back, unaware of the incident. The majority of the large fleet of fast boats were not started. There were thousands of spectators on the shorelines of the lake as well as thousands of boats with spectators along the course to watch. Reportedly the crash was captured on video, which may be used to reconstruct the incident. There are a number of photos taken by witnesses and others, including photos of the boat recovery, on the following thread... http://lakecumberland.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=20824 (NOTE: CHECK THIS FIRST POST FOR FURTHER INFO AND UPDATES AS TIME PROGRESSES.)  

Im gonna say that may be the last lake cumberland poker run we see. thats 2 deaths related to that run in the past 3 or 4 years. Not sure if there were any prior to that...  

sad to hear  

axkiker said: Im gonna say that may be the last lake cumberland poker run we see. thats 2 deaths related to that run in the past 3 or 4 years. Not sure if there were any prior to that... Click to expand...

Hydrant said: RIP Axkiker, I think it was 2 years ago when a singler driver got tossed out of his Baja by Beaver Creek, the night before the run IIRC. Click to expand...

Friends and I were on the hook spectating a couple of miles towards SD from Conley. 2 or 3 cats went by, then nothing for a long time. Eventually, a few go-fasts came along, but by then we had heard about the accident on the ship-shore. As others have expressed, I hope SD can still get insurance for the poker run after this. May Mr. Sellars rest in peace, and his passenger recover fully. On a brighter note, Harmon Creek a little later in the afternoon was off-the-hook!!!  

Condolences to the family.  

Boat Racer said: Wrong, wrong and wrong... That's the first one!!! RIP Click to expand...

axkiker said: why do you say this???? I knew shane and he was killed the night before the run a couple years ago. Click to expand...

UP_ROKTOY said: 1. I am assuming on one account he is saying you are wrong because shane's death had nothing to do with the run, also wasn't he boating irresponsibly? 2. On the second account I am assuming he is saying that you are wrong about the event getting canceled. Accidents happen, thats exactly why events like this require insurance, but I doubt it is going to get cancelled.....I could be wrong, I'm just assuming as to why he thinks you are wrong. Click to expand...

axkiker said: As far as boating irresponsibilty im not sure I wasnt there. From my understanding he just hit a wake wrong and was ejected while running back with a group of boats. There were no reports of alchohol or anything like that being a factor. So if he was boating irresponsibly it has not come out that I have heard. Click to expand...

• ?            
• 920.5K posts
• 19.1K members

Top Contributors this Month

2 racers die after powerboat crash at Key West

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Two offshore powerboat racers died Wednesday after their catamaran went airborne at high speed and crashed, marring the opening of three days of racing at the Key West World Championship, officials said.

Big Thunder Marine - a 46-foot Skater catamaran with four 1,200 horsepower engines that competed in the Superboat Unlimited Class - came down so hard that its right front hull was severely damaged on the third lap of Wednesday’s race inside Key West Harbor, organizers said.

Superboat International President John Carbonell said he witnessed the crash, which occurred adjacent to a spectator area.

“He was probably going about 130 mph and the boat’s propellers were barely in the water,” Carbonell said. “The boat apparently caught some air and went bow (front) up; straight into the air, came down and went backwards.”

He identified the dead as Robert M. Morgan, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman, of Kaiser, Mo. They were piloting the boat as throttleman and driver respectively.

Carbonell said rescue divers deployed to the accident site in less than a minute. Both men were removed from the wreckage of the catamaran and transported to Lower Keys Medical Center.

Tillman died either before or just after arrival at the hospital, and Morgan apparently soon after leaving Key West aboard an air trauma ambulance, according to organizers.

Carbonell said the force of the boat coming down was powerful and crushing.

Morgan had come out of retirement to race with SBI this year, Carbonell said.

“He told me a few days ago that this (Key West) was his last hurrah,” he said “He was a helluva of a nice guy and is going to be missed.”

Despite the accident and rescue efforts, the race later continued. But Carbonell said he stopped the race before the scheduled seventh lap due to another accident, which stretched medical and safety resources. Scott Roman of Marlton, N.J., and Ron Roman of Lumberton, N.J., escaped injury after their Motley Crew boat overturned.

Carbonell said that the world championship will continue with scheduled races Friday and the finals Sunday.

“This is a very dangerous sport and the racers know that,” he said. “You push it to the edge and see how far you go.”

In the Superboat Unlimited class, driver Bob Bull of Macks Creek, Mo., piloted CMS to first place in the standings with an average speed of 120.31 mph during the first race which counts for 25 percent of accumulated points.

Second in the Superboat Unlimited standings was Gasse, with driver Tor Staubo of Oslo, Norway, and veteran world champion John Tomlinson of Miami on the throttle. Gasse achieved an average speed of 116.44 mph.

In the Superboat Vee Extreme class, Outerlimits with Joe Sgro of Bellmore, N.Y., placed first at 98.81 mph, while Mike Janssen of Denver piloted Watch Your Back to first in the Superboat Vee Limited class at 82.06 mph.

Miss Geico, running alone in the turbine class, posted the race’s fastest average speed at 122.23 mph with Marc Granet of Riviera Beach, Fla., at the helm.

Online: Key West World Championship, https://www.superboat.com