A speedboat racing off Long Island at 150 mph flipped over yesterday, killing both people aboard.
The driver lost control of the craft in the Great South Bay off Patchogue, shortly before 5 p.m., witnesses said.
It was taking part in The Battle on the Bay, a daylong series of races.
"It flipped backwards and landed upside down," said witness Catherine Hogan.
Frank Buckley, who races speedboats, said he saw a spray two miles off shore.
"I knew something was bad down there," he said. "You don't get that kind of spray when you're OK."
Buckley said there were about 40 boats competing in the race and about 5,000 spectators.
"We were enforcing the security zone around the race and I noticed the water going everywhere," said Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Jeremy Clouse, who was patrolling the race course. "One of the race helicopters dropped a diver who was able to get the emergency hatch open and pull the victims out."
The driver of the boat and his throttle man were pronounced dead at Brookhaven Hospital. Cops identified the victims as Kevin Graff, of Port Washington, and Phil Dejana, of Bayville. It wasn't immediately clear who was driving.
"I loved him to death," Graff's brother-in-law said.
Investigators were looking into mechanical failure or a sudden gust of wind as possible causes.
"It's tragic. It doesn't get any worse than this," said Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri.
The event's organizer, Great South Bay Racing. did not return a telephone message for comment.
NY POST

 

That's terrible news. Probably a gust of wind. That is truly sad to read.

 

Holy $hit. This is sad news.

 

I'm guessing but they were probably trimmed out, and a gust of wind packed enough air in the hull to get it to blow over.

Tragic news.

stay safe out there.

example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQKHvihechE

 

Here is video of a similar crash from outside and inside the boat. These guys survived though.

YouTube - Offshore boat crash

 

Very sad indeed. Tragic loss.

 

That was one nice boat, and 2 very nice guys. I met them once, while they were fueling the boat up in Port Wasington, NJ. It's another loss in the powerboat world. You never know when something like that will happen. It's just one those unexpected events.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, and friends of the Aero Express divers. R.I.P.

-Sam

 

Thats some really sad news. RIP.

 

Terrible news, definitely be safe out there. Any crash video esp. from inside the boat/car/etc is hard to watch.

 

terrible news..... RIP.Could happen to any of us. becareful out in the water guys