Bad news out of Dubai

[THEJOKER]

God bless

[Tom A.]

Sad news. My condolences to the team and all their families.

[cigdaze]

Dubai: Victory Team powerboat drivers Mohammad Al Muhairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez have tragically died following a high speed crash at Mina Seyahi on Friday.

Emirati driver Al Muhairi and French throttleman Sanchez lost control of their powerboat which flipped and overturned during the 2009 Class One UIM/WPPA World Powerboat Championship.

A rescue boat rushed to scene and paramedics performed CPR on the pilots before airlifting them to Rashid Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

The race was called off following the accident.

Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) and President of the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) held a press conference to announce the two deaths.

"Both Mohammad Al Muhairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez have died following the crash," he told a somber gathering of the world powerboat fraternity at the DIMC at 6pm.

"They were rushed to hospital where doctors pronounced them dead.

"My heartfelt condolences go out to both their families."

Powerboat racing brings together state-of-the-art technology and spectacular venues from the Norgweigan Fjords to the coasts of the UAE.

It is a fiercely competitive sport with both driver and throttleman strapped into 'jet fighter' cockpits. The 42-foot powerboats, which weight five tons and are powered by twin 900hp engines race at speeds exceeding 160kph in sometimes unpredictable weather conditions.

Fact box:

Name: Mohammad Majid Al Muhairi

* Country: UAE
* Date of birth: January 5, 1975
* Place of birth: Dubai

Achievements:
- European Class One Champion for 2009 in his debut year in Class One.

Name: Jean-Marc Sanchez

* Country: France
* Date of birth: March 27, 1961
* Place of birth: St. Tropez, France

Achievements:
- 2007 World Class One Powerboat Champion
- 2007 and 2009 European Class One Powerboat Champion
- 2005 Middle East Powerboat Champion

[Sea-Dated]

Our deepest condolences. May they RIP......

[BobbyB]

My condolences to there familys. RIP

[cowisl]

God Bless

[HiZ]

Sadness

[ThrottleUp Props]

This is such tragic news from our brothers in the Middle East. I have spoken to some racers in Dubai and as you can imagine they are very upset. Please pray for them and their families. They will be missed terribly.

May they both Rest in Peace.

Julie & Matt
Throttle Up Propellers
SAI

[Pete B]

I was to leave for the airport (kuwait) to travel to Dubai, to capture some images of the second day of racing to round out the 2009 race season. I am sad to hear of this unfortnate accident. may they Rest in Peace.

[DollaBill]

Godspeed. Very tragic.

[glassdave]

tragic loss, my thoughts and prayers to all involved.

[Dude! Sweet!]

Man that stinks! So much tragedy this year... Can't wait to say goodbye to 2009, the year of sh*t. My sincere condolences to their family and friends.

[Jassman]

A sad day in the sport. Our sincerest condolances go out to both families.

[RichL]

Very sad. Condolences to the families.

[glh]

Godspeed.

Very tragic.

[Steve 1]

RIP and God Speed that is very bad news Racing is very big there and drivers are well known throughout the emirates.

[Sean H]

Lap of Honor to finish Class 1 season.

http://gulfnews.com/sport/other-spor...r-lap-1.552411

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs....912119984/1010

[ILMORdude]

Very sad news. RIP. What took so long for safety crews? Watch the vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihnqcXiHA1E

[Sean H]

Very sad news. RIP. What took so long for safety crews? Watch the vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihnqcXiHA1E

they were there in 40 seconds... on the boat in less than a minute.

[Ted]

Okay I have no idea what that video was actually saying, and the in cockpit footage I'm guessing was from another blow over because they seemed to go over pretty easy. But how come these guys are not on full time air? They run the kinds of speeds our boats do and have huge money behind them, why would they not use the best equipment? And no bottom hatch? Damn, just damn...