Skater crash takes two

[appsyscons]

Brad Smith and Jeff

WJRS NEWS has confirmed a single boat crash occured near Ramsey Creek around 10:35 a.m. during one of the first flights of Poker Run on Lake Cumberland. Initial reports from emergency personnel of two persons being airlifted by emergency helicopter services. WJRS NEWS will continue to follow this developing story and we will have more details during our 4:05 p.m. edition of WJRS NEWS on-the-air at 104.9 fm and on-line at lakercountry.com….

[appsyscons]

Reports on FB,

Stuffed at 160, both went through windscreen, no survivors

Was the green 40SS

[Buoy]

RIP.
Prayers to the families.

[Wreckdoctor]

Godspeed Brad and Jeff. Rip

[Offshore Ginger]

I just saw this Two Dead at Lake Cumberland Poker Run (http://speedonthewater.com/in-the-news/1487-two-dead-at-lake-cumberland-poker-run) RIP , Brad and Jeff .

[Bobcat]

Horrible.

[Ratickle]

Damn, prayers and condolences to all...

[Ratickle]

Two killed after boat flips during Lake Cumberland Poker Run

Updated: Sat 5:44 PM, Sep 07, 2013

WAYNE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Investigators say driver error is what caused an accident that killed two boaters Saturday morning on Lake Cumberland.

The boaters were taking part in the Lake Cumberland Poker Run which on its website claims to combine "the raw fury of over 150 of the country’s meanest and fastest powerboats with the fun and energy of Mardi Gras."

"Boats do travel at pretty high speeds, a lot of high-performance vessels, fast boats," Sgt. Wayne Glover with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife told WKYT's Sean Evans. Glover believes the boat the men were in was going in excess of 100 miles per hour and speed was a factor in the crash.

The men's boat flipped near Ramsey Point on what is meant to be a fun weekend for speedboat enthusiasts who put their boats horsepower to the test.

Organizers say the Lake Cumberland Poker Run is one of the largest events of its kind in the country.

Event organizers add the lake was clear and spectators were keeping a safe distance from the speedboats while they were traveling through the area.

Poker run officials say the weekend's events will go on as scheduled.

Two killed after boat flips during Lake Cumberland Poker Run (http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Coroner-called-to-scene-of-boating-accident-in-Wayne-County-222813111.html)


76368

[Ratickle]

Here they were after the shootout a couple weeks ago...


http://youtu.be/0C7dw5Y5WDU

[Ratickle]

Some words for the good Jeff did in his community.

September 7, 2013
Two Joplin-area men killed in Kentucky boating accident

From staff reports news@joplinglobe.com


A local businessman who died early Saturday was being remembered fondly for his contributions in the community.

Jeffrey Thomas Asbell, 47, and Bradley Dave Smith, 39, died Saturday morning during a boating accident at Lake Cumberland near Monticello, Ky., in southern Kentucky, according to a statement issued by Forrest Hicks, coroner in Wayne County, Ky. He gave the hometown of both men as Joplin.

Gary Stubblefield, director of the Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, said Asbell “had really gotten into speed boating.”

He recalled the help Asbell, the owner of Jeff Asbell Excavating and Trucking, gave to the Carl Junction community over the years. Among them was the donation of heavy equipment to move large stone welcome signs weighing several tons.

In 2010, Asbell’s business, which was north of Carl Junction on Missouri Highway 171, was named Business of the Year by the Carl Junction Area Chamber of Commerce.

In 2011, his company was one of several awarded contracts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help with storm debris removal after the Joplin tornado.

Asbell also was the owner of Alpha Air at the Joplin Regional Airport.

“Everything he did, he did from the heart,” Stubblefield said of Asbell. “He did a lot for our community. A genuinely good guy. It’s just a big loss for our community.”

According to Hicks’ statement, Wayne County 911 Dispatch received a call at 10:24 a.m. Joplin time that a boat had flipped over near the Tom’s Creek area of Lake Cumberland.

Wayne County emergency responders and the Monticello Fire Department responded, and the bodies of Asbell and Smith were brought to the boat ramp at Camp Earl Wallace, where they were pronounced dead at 11:35 a.m. Joplin time.

Asbell and Smith were participating in the Lake Cumberland Poker Run, which said on its website that it attracts 150 of the country’s “meanest and fastest power boats.”

According to Hicks’ statement, the men were ejected from the boat during the accident. Asbell “suffered serious blunt force trauma to his head and Smith experienced serious blunt force trauma to his abdomen and lower extremities.”

The bodies are being returned to Missouri, according to the coroner’s office.

Two Joplin-area men killed in Kentucky boating accident » Top Stories » The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO (http://www.joplinglobe.com/topstories/x789524046/Two-Joplin-area-men-killed-in-Kentucky-boating-accident)

[poncho]

Very sad news!!!

[appsyscons]

found this on youtube

2013 Lake Cumberland Poker Run Wreck - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brBTPnREiKA)

Initial reports from FB seem off a bit.
No evidence of large boat wake
No evidence of stuff

Looks just like my great friend Bob Morgans accident.

I have lost too many racing rivals and friends over the years.


http://youtu.be/brBTPnREiKA

[Ratickle]

Thanks Frank, I know it's really tough.

From what I've heard it was a flip and they both fell out of the boat before it hit the water. Now don't quote me yet, I've hesitated to put that up.

[Ratickle]

Man, it sure looks like they got in the roost, just like happened in Havasu.

[appsyscons]

YES, looks like drive up roost, over backwards, throw

"WAYNE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Investigators say driver error is what caused an accident that killed two boaters Saturday morning on Lake Cumberland."

I am just sick over this!


My prayers and thoughts go out to Krissy (Brads wife) and children.

[Hellbent]

Man, it sure looks like they got in the roost, just like happened in Havasu.

Damn scary. You're right....exactly like Havasu. What is it about going through the wash that creates the extra lift? Is it just the denser air because of all the spray? I hope people are seeing these vids and learning something. RIP

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

What is it about going through the wash that creates the extra lift?

All the disrupted water is rebounding upward. Additionally the the upwelling { not sure what to call the cresting wake chasing the boat is called } certainly will bounce you up. Then the actual prop spray has to lift as well.

[phragle]

this is a bit of a different perspective. To me it looks like they saw a cruiser in front of them at 160, and took evasive action ending their lives. 2013 Lake Cumberland Poker Run Boat Crash - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvZdPk9Mgzw)


http://youtu.be/hvZdPk9Mgzw

[Hellbent]

this is a bit of a different perspective. To me it looks like they saw a cruiser in front of them at 160, and took evasive action ending their lives. 2013 Lake Cumberland Poker Run Boat Crash - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvZdPk9Mgzw)

You're right....it certainly looks like that's why they turned. Damn.

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

The previous vid left me wondering why. That sure does show what happened. RIP

[old377guy]

Rest in Peace brothers

[phragle]

http://youtu.be/2AoHBQNqNSg


2013 LAKE CUMBERLAND POKER RUN FLY BY - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AoHBQNqNSg)

[Ratickle]

Wow, don't even know what to say about that "flyby". Dumb is very polite...

[Ratickle]

this is a bit of a different perspective. To me it looks like they saw a cruiser in front of them at 160, and took evasive action ending their lives. 2013 Lake Cumberland Poker Run Boat Crash - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvZdPk9Mgzw)


http://youtu.be/hvZdPk9Mgzw

One of the biggest issues with high speed runs in a limited sight distance environment and open water courses...

Between the two, you can tell how they were rapidly overtaking, then dramatically slowed brfore ending up turning into the roost. Damn.....

[rschap1]

The differential between stopped, idling, and just cruising compared to 100+ is pretty HUGE.
Those vids really illustrate it.
Seems pretty dangerous having so much casual, civilian, pedestrain, or whatever we wanna call the non-participant traffic on the same course as the high speed runners.

[Hellbent]

http://youtu.be/2AoHBQNqNSg


2013 LAKE CUMBERLAND POKER RUN FLY BY - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AoHBQNqNSg)



This is why people die. Just stupid. He had no reason to cut the corner through the spectator boats other than to try to come out of the turn in front. Look how far off 'course' he went compared to the other boats. He missed both of the boats in this vid by what....15 feet? At what....130+? And then wasn't it his wash that Brad and Jeff flipped in? If so....had he stayed on course he wouldn't have been ahead of them. Brad and Jeff would have been around him long before that. I see a lot of stuff online blaming the cruiser. The people in the cruiser obviously didn't know any better....but this guy should have. Horrible set of circumstances.

[Wreckdoctor]

there is a very good reason race courses are closed, at speeds this fast things happen way too quickly, my opinion if you have to dodge normal boat traffic common sense would tell you to slow down.
i have the good fortune to run boats like these all the time, at these speeds, on closed race courses and in poker run situations. most times ,as in this situation ,when the boat you are overtaking at that speed pulls out in front of you it is to late.
these men were very experienced drivers and throttlemen, from my perspective they did everything they could to avoid a direct collision with the smaller vessel crossing in front of them,
unfortunatly they hit the wash of the other cat and it cost them their lives.
i am as guilty as anyone of pushing limits and running as hard as the boat i am in will go. if anything this has really been a wake up call to me personally.
tragic indeed.

[Ratickle]

Hey Lance, Did you know them well? I know they are from your neck of the woods.

[Cookee]

This is why people die. Just stupid. He had no reason to cut the corner through the spectator boats other than to try to come out of the turn in front. Look how far off 'course' he went compared to the other boats. He missed both of the boats in this vid by what....15 feet? At what....130+? And then wasn't it his wash that Brad and Jeff flipped in? If so....had he stayed on course he wouldn't have been ahead of them. Brad and Jeff would have been around him long before that. I see a lot of stuff online blaming the cruiser. The people in the cruiser obviously didn't know any better....but this guy should have. Horrible set of circumstances.

Plus one! I race in the UK and a few years ago I was racing in the Solent (near Southampton) in a Class III 2 Litre race (2 litre single outboard) and a fast catamaran ferry was crossing ahead of me going from right to left - he had right of way but slowed rapidly although I was going to pass astern of him - I was in a 24' boat and his carries over 150 passengers - I can't believe he thought I couldn't see him so he must have thought he was doing me a favour or something, this caused me to slow and steer around him - this was at 70mph and I can't imagine what would have happened at over twice that speed - even professionals and seasoned racers aren't 100% infallible sadly.

My sympathies go out to the friends and families of those involved in this tragic accident.

I assume there are limited safety rules in Poker runs concerning the construction of the boats? I doubt you could run a boat like that in a race without a canopy?

[Ratickle]

Correct Cookee, at poker runs pretty much all that is needed is proof of insurance and life preservers.

[Ratickle]

The Lake Cumberland Rules

•Absolutely no alcohol 6 hours prior or during the poker run.
•All participating poker run occupants must wear personal floatation devices.
•Driver must wear kill switch lanyards while boat is underway.
•No sitting on top of seats or sun pads while boat is on the plane.
•Divide event starts up into groups based on speed.
•No passing the pace boat before the start flag is dropped
•Minimum separation of 100′ fore and aft and 50′ side by side between boats on plane.
•Written instructions/charts handed out by organizers with appropriate speed and safety notations.
•Strict speed limits in congested areas.
•All Playing cards must be turned in by 6:30 pm.
•HAVE FUN – BE SAFE!

Plus the proof of insurance.

I certify the above boat is insured for this event for Public Liability and Property Damage with the following.

[Ratickle]

But yes, you can run boats without canopies in races. I'm thinking that boat would 0nly fit the rules in P1 however. I'd have to do a bit more digging to be absolutely sure though. Their speed would be limited to 117 mph maximum in that class.

[Ratickle]

http://youtu.be/3D6HCxP9KP4

[Ratickle]

Man, cannot believe this one.


http://youtu.be/0NGi5yU0FOs

[Ratickle]

How close did they have to be to the Baja?

[Bobcat]

Those people didn't even flinch...

[Wreckdoctor]

Hey Lance, Did you know them well? I know they are from your neck of the woods.

I did not personally know either of them. I saw the boat frequently, and Brads engine building abilities are well known around the lake. both were highly reguarded guys at loto.
certainly a tragic loss for our sport.

[Buoy]

This was posted on FB
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202349399563370&set=gm.509169999172248&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

Really mixed feelings.
Very cool, and very sad at the same time.

[fund razor]

Man, cannot believe this one.


http://youtu.be/0NGi5yU0FOs

Wow.

[fund razor]

I didn't know these guys. Certainly knew of them.

I'm struck over and over by the amount of talent and potential that was lost this time, along with all the personal loss to family and friends, of course.
Since the accident I have run across various things about each of them. It's quite clear that many great things were yet to come from the genius of both guys. I think that Jeff was only 47.
Not only will friends and loved ones miss them dearly, it just seems that there are things that won't be invented, won't be built, or developed or designed.
That kind of spreads the impact to the whole sport in an additional and unique way than the deep personal loss that family and friends suffer.

Speaking of which, my thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and families. To those who we may not know, and those among us: I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Buoy]

Very well said.

[Ratickle]

I didn't know these guys. Certainly knew of them.

I'm struck over and over by the amount of talent and potential that was lost this time, along with all the personal loss to family and friends, of course.
Since the accident I have run across various things about each of them. It's quite clear that many great things were yet to come from the genius of both guys. I think that Jeff was only 47.
Not only will friends and loved ones miss them dearly, it just seems that there are things that won't be invented, won't be built, or developed or designed.
That kind of spreads the impact to the whole sport in an additional and unique way than the deep personal loss that family and friends suffer.

Speaking of which, my thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and families. To those who we may not know, and those among us: I'm very sorry for your loss.

Well said, they certainly had a lot of potential left....

[Cookee]

The Lake Cumberland Rules


•Minimum separation of 100′ fore and aft and 50′ side by side between boats on plane.
•HAVE FUN – BE SAFE!



Nothing about going close to spectator boats?

In the crash video you see one boat changing course to go between stationary spectator boats who may have been drifting or had swimmers in the water, at the very least the rules need updating and strictly enforcing?

[Ratickle]

Yep , certainly not save (or sane) driving previous to the accident.