Elijah my heart goes out to you and your brother, I was sorry to have missed meeting your mother at a poker run. However I do know many people that have had the good fortune of meeting and running with them, and all have spoken so highly of them. Your Mom and step dad had one of the best reputations in this sport. A friend was telling me that on a recent poker run he was running with a few slower boats, Nashville Catz came up behind them and even though the Cat could have blown past them, he slowed down to their speed and followed them in to the card stop. Never once trying to beat them or show off his speed. In our sport that type of behavior is not always the norm, my friend was so taken by the courtesy shown to him by your folkes that after the run he shook Bruce's hand and told him so. May you find some peace in knowing how many people your Mom touched and by how many people she will continue to touch through the wonderful foundation set up in her honor. Donna

Our continued prayers for your family Elijah...for your brother Will, your step-dad Bruce, you and your wife.....we cannot imagine the pain and sorrow you all must feel, but what a tribute to her to come here and post.

God Bless your entire family.

Rob & Barb Sample
Fairport Harbor OH

Elijah,

My family's prayers are with you, Will and Bruce as well as all of the other people involved in this tragic accident.

I like your thoughts about how your Mom died "with an ear to ear smile".

Your link has been passed on to other sites I frequent.

God Bless.


Below is a photo I took during the 2005 Lake Cumberland Poker Run.

This was a sad deal. A little after the accident, I remember standing on the highport dock when a catamaran named "taz" backed in. the driver said he was covered in, I think, kerosene (jet fuel) from getting in the water to assist with the rescue effort. I was only 19 years old at the time and still remember waiving at flash as he was idling out to the start. I also remember seeing nashville catz floating, the day before the accident, out in front of alberta creek just relaxing.

holy crap that thing is insane, what a rig, hope they are going to be ok

Ummm, not sure what you mean when you say you hope they are ok... You hope who is ok?

He prob doesn't realize the thread is 9 yrs old.

I didnt, just read through the thread such a shame!

Unfortunately the final chapter played out of this tragedy a few years later when Bruce ultimately took his own life. Some friends and family say he had a lot of PTSD and survivors guilt that he struggled with. I wish they all rest in peace.

Holy cow, poor guy! Was it an equipment failure on flash that caused it to turn hard? So sad to hear that...rm