Accident at Cumberland Poker Run
#171
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#173
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Rest in Peace, my friend.
Craig, I cannot express how grateful I am that you were not seriously injured on Saturday. My heart goes out to you and Lori through this difficult time.
I am so saddened by Kevin's accident. He was a good friend to me for many years. I will miss our two hour phone conversations, I will miss his sense of humor, I will miss his kindness, I will miss his fearlessness, and mostly I will just miss him. I think the world became a much less interesting place yesterday. My deepest condolences to all who were fortunate enough to know and care about him.
Dione Amirkhan
I am so saddened by Kevin's accident. He was a good friend to me for many years. I will miss our two hour phone conversations, I will miss his sense of humor, I will miss his kindness, I will miss his fearlessness, and mostly I will just miss him. I think the world became a much less interesting place yesterday. My deepest condolences to all who were fortunate enough to know and care about him.
Dione Amirkhan
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First off I want to say that my thoughts are prayers are with ALL involved..
Second, I would say that for now that we need to just end all the speculation and hearsay because this was caught on video and we will know the outcome. From what I was told at the Poker Run was that the guy in the heli got sick over it..We need to quit blaming and speculating and realize that sometimes there are accidents and we take these risk when we do these events. If we were speculating and saying the lake was to crowded or this and that, then the easy solution is to just slow down until you have a clear path, not to tell everyone else to get off the lake. Some poker runs are going to be made for all out speed and some you are just going to have to do the card stops, take your time, mind the other boaters and try to have a good time.
~R.I.P Kevin~
Second, I would say that for now that we need to just end all the speculation and hearsay because this was caught on video and we will know the outcome. From what I was told at the Poker Run was that the guy in the heli got sick over it..We need to quit blaming and speculating and realize that sometimes there are accidents and we take these risk when we do these events. If we were speculating and saying the lake was to crowded or this and that, then the easy solution is to just slow down until you have a clear path, not to tell everyone else to get off the lake. Some poker runs are going to be made for all out speed and some you are just going to have to do the card stops, take your time, mind the other boaters and try to have a good time.
~R.I.P Kevin~
#175
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I know the guy in the heli, say's he caught most of it on video but lost view of the flip because of a hill. He caught it at the end of the flip. At first they were not sure how many people were in the boat, they went back through previous photos to confirm head count finding only two in boat and stopped there search for others in water. But will reply when I hear more detail from heli friend. Has nothing to do with blame or speculation, just people making conversation very normal when tragedy strikes, especially when it is a fellow friend.
#176
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I was in the second group waiting to start, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officer started to motion for the pace boat to start and then he bent down to answer his radio. He threw the radio down and emphatically motioned for the 100 to 110 class to stay put and took off with his lights on. I shut down my engines and my heart sunk. I knew it was going to be bad. I had only spoken once to Kevin and I am still sick. I think we should be thankful that Craig was spared. Truly a miracle! I have enjoyed reading who he was. He and his friends will be in my prayers. Eric
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I know the guy in the heli, say's he caught most of it on video but lost view of the flip because of a hill. He caught it at the end of the flip. At first they were not sure how many people were in the boat, they went back through previous photos to confirm head count finding only two in boat and stopped there search for others in water. But will reply when I hear more detail from heli friend. Has nothing to do with blame or speculation, just people making conversation very normal when tragedy strikes, especially when it is a fellow friend.
Last edited by bobonthis; 09-07-2008 at 07:53 PM.
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My condolences go out to Mr Sellers and his family. Fortunately, only 1 casualty out of the crash. If you can say anything positive, a man perished doing something he loved to do. RIP.
Just my opp, but I've done the poker run in the past, and most boats were out of the way of the path of poker run boats, but there were a few that were sitting in terrible locations and simply dangerous to the participants. Even at 50 mph, the run could be dangerous if that sort of thing happens. (not that it was or was not a factor here). The other issue I had was a high speed pass by someone son who builds powerboats making a pass a little close than I'd care for. Your head has to be on a swivel at these sorts of things. I believe 6 years ago or so the video helicopter crashed, too.
Even at LOTO this year, it was more dangerous than I remembered. Seems that maybe the high gas prices now has everyone taking the shortest line on the inside corners in either direction. I started going to the outside while there and was much safer. It amazes me when another boat cuts you off and acts like it's your fault you're motoring in a straight line in the main channel of a body of water.
Sorry for the tangent, if anyone even read it.
Just my opp, but I've done the poker run in the past, and most boats were out of the way of the path of poker run boats, but there were a few that were sitting in terrible locations and simply dangerous to the participants. Even at 50 mph, the run could be dangerous if that sort of thing happens. (not that it was or was not a factor here). The other issue I had was a high speed pass by someone son who builds powerboats making a pass a little close than I'd care for. Your head has to be on a swivel at these sorts of things. I believe 6 years ago or so the video helicopter crashed, too.
Even at LOTO this year, it was more dangerous than I remembered. Seems that maybe the high gas prices now has everyone taking the shortest line on the inside corners in either direction. I started going to the outside while there and was much safer. It amazes me when another boat cuts you off and acts like it's your fault you're motoring in a straight line in the main channel of a body of water.
Sorry for the tangent, if anyone even read it.
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hello , my name is craig stumpf. i was the passenger on the 36 skater know as pammy, with my long time friend kevin sellers. i want to thank you for your thoughts and prayers. he was a great friend and loved by many. he passed from a neck injury. im fine just beat up . thank you