Accident at Cumberland Poker Run
09-06-2008, 05:27 PM
#51
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Very sad. Just sucks. Great boat and from what I heard great crew/owner.
There was a really cool article on Kevin Sellers and the "Pammy" boat a few months back in (I believe) Extreme boats mag.
There was a really cool article on Kevin Sellers and the "Pammy" boat a few months back in (I believe) Extreme boats mag.
09-06-2008, 05:28 PM
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(If some think the pics posted are in bad taste, I'll remove them. The only reason I thought they should be posted is to give and Idea of what happened, since it's in all our natures to wonder and learn how to avoid this type of thing if possible. They were taken from another website.)
Last edited by thisistank; 09-06-2008 at 08:54 PM.
09-06-2008, 05:36 PM
#54
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I was in the Poker Run today but I didn't see what happened as this terrible accident happened with the first wave of boats. Here is what I do know from a friend of mine who pulled the driver out of the water, and from another friend who was sitting right in front of the accident and also saw it happen.
These two eyewitnesses both said that the boat was running "balls to the walls" to catch up to the three or so boats in front of him - that he was gaining on them quick when it happened. They estimated that he was doing 120 (maybe more) when he hit a big roller - launched 20+ feet into the air, inverted upside down in the air ejecting the passengers, then the boat barrel rolled. Contrary to what others have reported, these two eyewitnesses say that he was not avoiding spectators, that he just hit a big roller and launched.
Boaters who knew him on the dock say that this gentleman had been talking last night about how this boat and the speeds that it could achieve were making him uneasy, and that he was seriously considering buying a much slower and less stressful top gun to take to poker runs. Everyone said he was a heck of a nice guy.
The one friend says a buddy on our dock caught the accident on video so authorities should be able to determine exactly what happened.
It's just a sad scene here on Cumberland.
These two eyewitnesses both said that the boat was running "balls to the walls" to catch up to the three or so boats in front of him - that he was gaining on them quick when it happened. They estimated that he was doing 120 (maybe more) when he hit a big roller - launched 20+ feet into the air, inverted upside down in the air ejecting the passengers, then the boat barrel rolled. Contrary to what others have reported, these two eyewitnesses say that he was not avoiding spectators, that he just hit a big roller and launched.
Boaters who knew him on the dock say that this gentleman had been talking last night about how this boat and the speeds that it could achieve were making him uneasy, and that he was seriously considering buying a much slower and less stressful top gun to take to poker runs. Everyone said he was a heck of a nice guy.
The one friend says a buddy on our dock caught the accident on video so authorities should be able to determine exactly what happened.
It's just a sad scene here on Cumberland.
09-06-2008, 05:54 PM
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I did not see any spectators in the way, but they were out of control and the water was VERY rough. He looked to be crossing a wake to overtake a boat, I grabed the camera, stepped up onto the deck and that is what I saw happen. The police had no mention of spectators. I don't know who was with him, needless to say everyone in the Indy group as well as all who knew him were shaken by the events of the day. I was told it is all on video from the helo above him in the picture.
RIP Kevin you will be missed
09-06-2008, 05:59 PM
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From Lk Cumberland site...another eyewitness...
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posted on 9-6-2008 at 05:25 PM
Not how I saw it
Quote:
Originally posted by cumberline
Perhaps someone who actually saw the incident can tell, but I've been told 2nd hand that he was near a houseboat and hit wake.
We were on the right bank on our houseboat. MOTORS OFF and drifting with the wind! They had passed us and were 1/2 to 3/4 mile past us starting to make a left turn. There were lots of boats on both sides of that turn and it was close in there. He had to turn hard left because he didn't have room to make a wide easy turn. Hooked and barrel rolled at speed.
Didn't see any houseboats near!
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posted on 9-6-2008 at 05:25 PM
Not how I saw it
Quote:
Originally posted by cumberline
Perhaps someone who actually saw the incident can tell, but I've been told 2nd hand that he was near a houseboat and hit wake.
We were on the right bank on our houseboat. MOTORS OFF and drifting with the wind! They had passed us and were 1/2 to 3/4 mile past us starting to make a left turn. There were lots of boats on both sides of that turn and it was close in there. He had to turn hard left because he didn't have room to make a wide easy turn. Hooked and barrel rolled at speed.
Didn't see any houseboats near!
