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Two NJ Men Injured In Powerboat Race

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A single-boat accident blemished the final day of racing Sunday at the Key West World Championship, but injuries to two New Jersey racers were not believed to be serious.

The final race of three was staged despite three deaths in races last week.

Owner/driver Robert Vesper of Somers Point and throttleman Danny Crank of Hammonton were both taken Sunday to Lower Keys Medical Center after their 38-foot Warpaint slammed into a wave during the final of three race days at the weeklong event.

Vesper was released a few hours later with cuts and abrasions, according to Warpaint crew chief Dave McIntyre, but Crank was transported to Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital by helicopter as a precaution to examine a head injury. McIntyre said Sunday night that initial reports on Crank were positive, but additional tests were being performed.

The injuries follow the death of Joey Gratton, 59, of Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday from injuries suffered Friday when his 38-foot Superboat 850-class Skater catamaran, Page Motorsports, rolled over twice in the final lap of a seven-lap race.

On Wednesday, powerboat racers Robert M. Morgan, 74, of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman, 47, of Kaiser, Mo., died when their 46-foot catamaran Big Thunder Marine violently crashed inside Key West Harbor.

For Sunday's race, many drivers affixed memorial decals to their boats that honored the three racers. Throughout much of the afternoon a plane towed a banner over the race course that read, "IN MEMORY OF THREE GREAT RACERS."

Before this week's fatal powerboat accidents, it had been 16 years since a racer had died at a Key West World Championship. To have three deaths over three days is unprecedented.

Some close to the sport suggested the final race be canceled, but Super Boat International President John Carbonell insisted the world championship continue. "Racers can choose to race if they want to or not," said Carbonell, who raced himself for 10 years, before producing racing events. "But most want to race and they know there is a potential for accidents."

One competitor who chose not to compete Sunday was Scott Begovich of Riviera Beach, Fla., throttleman for Miss Geico, the lone Turbine Class boat, which nevertheless won a world championship.

"My head is not in the game," said Begovich, a good friend of Gratton. "You have to be 100 percent mentally sound and clear-headed to pilot a boat at 160 mph."

Superboat Unlimited class winner Randy Scism of St. Louis, who throttles CMS, said there's always room for improvement in design and safety equipment.

His 48-foot MTI catamaran is one of the most advanced on the circuit with an internal roll cage. The front glass in the canopy is more than two inches thick and the boat, like many with canopies, has full-time oxygen systems so that if the boat flips, racers can continue breathing until they can get or be assisted out.

"I'm always up for more safety improvements," Scism said. "We need to look at it (the accidents) and learn from them."

Miami racer Johnny Tomlinson, who has 40 national and world titles, said the sport has evolved since he began racing in 1986. "We've (the larger classes) gone from open cockpits to enclosed canopies," he said. "This is as good as anything that anybody has done so far."

Carbonell believes his circuit and the Key West site have the best safety procedures in the world. He pointed to the nine medical people on his staff. For a 6.5-mile course, there were two helicopters with rescue divers that were deployed from the air. Six medical boats, with rescue divers, and two patient transport boats rounded out the medical plan.

He also said safety equipment is working, pointing to a rollover accident Wednesday, in which New Jersey brothers Scott and Ron Roman survived and then were able to get their boat ready to race again Friday.

Carbonell said accidents sometimes happen because some drivers and throttlemen take chances they shouldn't. "It's racing and everyone wants to push the envelope," said Jerry Gilbreath, technical advisor to Lucas Oil, a Superboat Extreme entry. "Today's boats are designed to go faster and are safer, but that being said, the impact speeds are even greater.

"Unfortunately, we lose lives, but every time we do, we learn something," he said. "So we'll take all this data we have and implement it into more safety aspects for our boats. It's the same thing that NASCAR does."

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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Here's the latest on the Fox River powerboat-paddleboat crash in Oshkosh

OSHKOSH – A 52-year-old Oshkosh man has been arrested and awaits charges after the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says he crashed his 45-foot powerboat into the side of a two-story "commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise" paddleboat July 9 and fled the scene.

The sheriff's office released the crash report July 21.

The man has not yet been charged in court, and officials say the investigation is ongoing. USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin typically does not identify suspects until they have been charged.

What's the latest in the case?

The investigation remains ongoing, but the sheriff's office said July 21 it believes all 43 occupants of the paddleboat and all seven occupants of the powerboat have been identified.

The boat owner and operator had a bail hearing at 2:30 p.m. July 13. He was released on $10,000 cash bond, under conditions that he maintains "absolute sobriety," does not leave Wisconsin, surrenders his passport to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and follows the county's 24/7 sobriety program, according to the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts Office.

The sheriff's office asks anyone with additional information to call 920-236-7316.

When and where did the crash happen?

The boat crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. July 9 on the Fox River, between the Oregon Street and Wisconsin Street bridges in Oshkosh.

How did the boats crash?

According to the crash report, the paddleboat was headed downstream on the Fox River, while the powerboat was headed upstream. People aboard the paddleboat and camera footage from the nearby bridges saw the powerboat "make reckless maneuvers" before heading straight towards the paddleboat, failing to yield the right of way. The powerboat did not activate its navigation lights, and just before impact turned in an apparent attempt to avoid hitting the paddleboat.

The port side of the powerboat collided with the port side of the paddleboat, which had 43 passengers and crew members on board.

The sheriff's office listed reckless operation, alcohol use, excessive speed, improper lookout, navigation rules violation and operator inattention as contributing factors to the crash.

Was anyone injured?

While the sheriff's office initially reported that seven passengers aboard the paddleboat were injured, the crash report listed that 14 people aboard the paddleboat were injured. Only one person was sent to the hospital.

The person had a back laceration that required medical treatment beyond first aid, according to the crash report.

What happened after the crash?

The powerboat fled the scene after the crash. According to the sheriff's office, witnesses and surveillance video found that seven people were on board the powerboat before and after the crash, indicating that none of the occupants fell overboard.

The paddleboat had "severe damage" to its side but made it safely to the south shore of the Fox River, where all occupants got off the boat, the sheriff's office said. It sustained damage to the deck, railing, windows, lower tier frame and chairs and tables on board, the crash report said.

The powerboat sustained damage to its front and left side, including fiberglass hanging from the hull and the lower unit missing from one of the engines, according to the crash report.

Several agencies assisted the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in trying to find the powerboat, its owner and occupants the night of the crash but were unsuccessful.

Officials identified the boat owner and operator through boat registration records, Winnebago County Sheriff's Detective Capt. Todd Christie said. He was arrested July 12.

Loos Cruises, the operator of the paddleboat, has stopped booking reservations until further notice, according to its website .

What charges does the powerboat owner face?

The boat owner has not yet been formally charged, but the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office said he was arrested on 12 counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety — a class G felony — and 11 counts of failing to render aid after a boating accident.

More: Man convicted in boat crash deaths of Neenah sisters denied new trial or lesser sentence

Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli . 

Watch a powerboat crash during Sunday's race in St. Clair

A powerboat competing in the St. Clair River Classic Offshore Race last weekend went belly-up during its race.

On the first lap of the Super Stock races, the S-17 Allen Lawn Care & Landscaping boat crashed, overturning in the St. Clair River.

"Obviously, St. Clair, MI 'Riverfest' dealt us a bad hand," the team said in a Facebook post.

The post said the drivers are both okay, and the team plans to compete in this weekend's races in Michigan City, Indiana. 

"Without a relentlessly dedicated team, this coming weekend would not even be possible," the post said.

A video provided by The Adventure Collector, the team's media representative, shows the boat overturning before the cabin begins to fill with water as the driver and throttleman escape through the hatch. 

The team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Contact Brian Wells at (810) 357-8668 or [email protected].

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Action News Jax Now

Florida firefighter dies after power boat crash in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE, 6/4/18:  Lt. Mike Salber's girlfriend, Melanie Jeanie, is heartbroken from the tragedy.

“He’s Superman,” Jeanine said, fighting back tears. “It’s unbelievable. No one can believe it.”

Jeanine said a procession Tuesday will bring Salber home.

“He’s one of probably the last great, American heroes,” Jeanine said. “He was unbelievable.”

Action News Jax showed people video of the crash and many had concerns about the safety measures at these races.

“[The boats should be] spread out, there should be more rules, because that could definitely happen a lot of times just because they’re trying to get past them, and all that,” said Jadyn Roberson of Jacksonville.

But Jeanine said racers take on an element of risk and the organizers did plenty to keep it safe.

“It was his time,” Jeanine said. “It shouldn’t have been, but it was just his time.”

UPDATE, 6/3/18 : The names of two more people injured in the crash Saturday have been released. Chris Mejias and his uncle Frank Silva were racers on the Frank and Al's Pizza boat.

Mejias suffered damaged tendons in his hand from the propellor and has had surgery to treat it.

Action News Jax's Courtney Cole spoke to the spokesman for the Sanford Fire Department. They are working with the Sanford Police Department to coordinate how they will honor Mike Salber.

Original story below:

Two boats crashed during the Jacksonville Grand Prix of the Sea on the St. Johns River on Saturday afternoon, sending four people to a hospital.

Units are responding to an overturned boat near Memorial Park....there are multiple injuries with at least one being serious.....more crews on the way — MyJFRD (@JFRDJAX) June 2, 2018

One of the people hurt was a Central Florida firefighter and he has reportedly died, Action News Jax learned Saturday night.

Sanford Fire Department said in a Facebook post that Lt. Mike Salber died after a boat crash Saturday. His Facebook account says he raced on the Rapid Building Solutions powerboat that crashed in Jacksonville.

Sanford Fire Department says Lieutenant Mike Salber died after a boat crash today. His Facebook says he raced on the Rapid Building Solutions powerboat that crashed in #Jacksonville @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/pxwFCRpJuw — Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 3, 2018

This is the post by Sanford Fire Department about the loss of one of their own @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/DCUFXQ4RAE — Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 3, 2018

Powerboat P1 director told Action News Jax's Brittney Donovan that it wasn't clear why the boats crashed during the third race of the day.

The other boat involved in the crash was the Frank and Al's Pizza boat.

One of the boats flipped during the collision.

Witnesses say these are the two boats that crashed during the #Jacksonville Grand Prix. They say 3 people were hurt @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/hlSQckEtty — Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 2, 2018

Race coordinators did not have information about the other racers' conditions shortly after the crash and did not respond to calls and texts for updates.

The remaining races Saturday were canceled.

P1 Superstock USA series released the following statement:

Following a powerboat racing incident in the P1 Superstock USA series in Jacksonville yesterday, it is with great sadness that we announce the loss of one of the racers, Mike Salber - a Lieutenant in the Sanford Fire Department in Central Florida- who passed away from the injuries he sustained.

Three other racers involved in the incident received injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals. A further statement will be issued when more details are available.

Our thoughts are with Mike’s family, friends, colleagues and the powerboat racing community as a whole at this difficult time.

Powerboat P1 director tells me 4 people were taken to the hospital after two boats collided during one of the races. Race coordinators are waiting for an update from the hospital @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/uJfHsZIjw8 — Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 2, 2018

He says the two boats involved were not out of #Jacksonville . Races for the rest of the day are canceled @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/bENpZYTDaE — Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 2, 2018

Raw viewer video: Boat collision on the St. Johns River BOAT CRASH: A viewer shared this video of a boat collision during Jax Grand Prix of the Sea on the St. Johns River. Four people were taken to the hospital; we are working to get an update on their conditions: http://bit.ly/2J8QFRT Posted by Action News Jax on Saturday, June 2, 2018

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2 dead, juvenile rescued in san joaquin county boat accident.

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A San Joaquin County boating accident on Saturday left two people dead, according to the sheriff's office. A juvenile was rescued.

Just before 5 p.m. the solo accident was reported just north of Tower Park Marina, the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office said.

Three people were pulled out of the water, according to the sheriff's office. One of them, a juvenile survived, but an adult had suffered severe injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, and another was later pulled from the water deceased.

The two deceased have been identified by the sheriff's office as 41-year-old Quang Lu from Elk Grove and 21-year-old Navin Lu from Oakland.

What led up to the accident is unknown at this time.

This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest.

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Boy, 15, dies in St. Petersburg boat crash

• Jack Prator Times staff

A 15-year-old boy has died after a boat crash in St. Petersburg Sunday evening.

Collin Moorefield died from his injuries in a local hospital, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Monday afternoon.

Christian Tharakan, also 15, was driving the boat when he struck a dock. The collision ejected both boys from the boat, according to the state agency.

Tharakan’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, authorities said.

First responders received a 911 call at 5:43 p.m. that a boat struck a dock near 4039 Bayshore Blvd. NE. in Shore Acres, said Capt. Garth Swingle, a spokesperson for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, in a news conference Sunday night.

Tharakan was recovered from the water first, before Moorefield was found soon after by a good Samaritan and a St. Petersburg police officer, authorities said.

“I can tell you that the neighbors came to help,” Swingle said Sunday. “It was pretty heartfelt that that was happening.”

After it struck the dock, the boat came to a stop four houses down, near another dock where a bystander turned off the motor and tied up the boat.

The front of the boat, an 18-foot Key West with a single motor, sustained minor to moderate damage, Swingle said.

It was unclear if the boys were wearing life vests at the time of the crash.

Florida law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, to complete a boating education course and have a boating education ID card before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. It was unclear Monday if either of the boys had a card.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the investigation of the incident and said additional information will be limited until it concludes.

“We would like to express our condolences to the Moorefield family and ask that the public give the family space during this difficult time,” said Maj. Evan Laskowski, Southwest Regional Commander for the state wildlife agency, in a news release. “As a father myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain they are experiencing right now. I want them to know we are thinking and praying for them during this time.”

Two 15-year-old boys were ejected from their boat after it crashed into a dock on Bayshore Blvd NE in St. Pete's Shore Acres neighborhood. One teen was critically injured but alert, while the other was rescued from the water and is critical but unstable @BN9 pic.twitter.com/nWO3dDExpJ — Angie Angers (@angie_angers) March 4, 2024

Jack Prator is a reporter covering breaking news and environment. Reach him at [email protected].

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Two people dead after boating crash in north naples.

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A boating incident in North Naples left one woman dead and sent a man to the hospital with serious injuries on Friday afternoon.

According to the North Collier Fire District, two people were ejected from a boat in Little Hickory Bay.

A man was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. A woman has died.

The Collier County Sheriff's received a medical emergency call to Little Hickory Bay between channel markers 16 and 18 at 3:03 p.m.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is the primary investigator of the incident.

UPDATE -- Saturday, March 16:

FWC announced that John C. Moulder, 71, of Naples, and Judy M. Eaton, also 71, of Bonita Springs, were ejected from the boat after crashing into mangroves.

Eaton was pronounced dead after being recovered from the trees by EMS.

Moulder later died in the hospital from his injuries.

“Sadly, I was not surprised. In fact, I had a conversation with another friend recently about this turn specifically, and some of the close calls I've seen at this spot,” boater Kevin Price said.

Price said the corner where the accident happened is very dangerous, especially if you’re going fast.

“There are two blind curves here, and it used to be a no-wake zone, so some boats go through slow, but a lot of boats just really come through here real quickly,” Price explained.

Boaters said the area used to be a no wake zone but believe Hurricane Ian washed away the signs marking it.

“Whether it was some of the pickings and the signs came down during the storm or I've heard had something to do with permits,” Price said.

We’ve reached out to FWC, as they’re investigating, to find out if the area is a no-wake zone and if the signs will be posted in the hope of preventing future tragedies.

Count on NBC2 to provide further updates as we receive more information.

Crashes and Disasters | Major-injury crash closes Santa Clara intersection

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Crashes and disasters, subscriber only, collision was reported near bowers avenue and monroe street around 9:15 p.m. thursday.

SANTA CLARA — Police on Thursday night were investigating a major-injury collision in Santa Clara.

The crash was reported around 9:15 p.m. near Bowers Avenue and Monroe Street.

Police closed the intersection for an investigation and asked people to avoid the area. It was reopened by 2:30 a.m.

Additional details about the collision were not immediately available late Thursday.

Check back for updates.

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Man dies when vehicle strikes tree near Highway 101 off-ramp in Santa Clara

By bay city news • published december 21, 2023 • updated on december 21, 2023 at 11:22 am.

A 51-year-old man died when his vehicle hit a tree near a Highway 101 off-ramp in Santa Clara on Wednesday night, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash was reported at 8:53 p.m. at the Montague Expressway off-ramp from northbound Highway 101.

Officers responded and determined that a 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML430 went off the off-ramp and struck a tree. The 51-year-old, a resident of Santa Clara and the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead, CHP officials said.

Investigators said alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash. The name of the driver who died was not immediately available.

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