John Cross accident a 'devastating blow' to powerboat racing

by Bob Wonders on 5 Dec 2010
As has been reported earlier, the Australian (and New Zealand) powerboat racing community is reeling after the death of John Cross at the Lake Mulwala Power Festival at Yarrawonga on Sunday, November 28.

The popular 47-year-old driver of the 1500hp Unlimited boat, ‘Rival’, died as a result of the accident, just after crossing the finishing line to take third place in the Marj Watson Unlimited Displacement championship.

Reports indicate the accident may have been caused when a propeller ‘threw’ a blade.

A reliable eye-witness told me that Cross had spun out on the first corner in the race, leaving him trailing the field.

'He then drove very, very hard over the next four laps and eventually brought ‘Rival’ into third place.

'It was seconds after crossing the finish line that the accident occurred', the eye-witness told me.

Rescue teams were quickly on the scene.

They found the stricken driver face down in the water, his helmet torn from his head.

He was showing signs of life when brought ashore and a helicopter was immediately called to rush him to hospital, but we understand he passed away on board from head and chest injuries.

The loss of the likeable and popular driver has been all the more hard to bear remembering he becomes the third this year; last April, at Taree, on the Manning River, two champion lost their lives when Brian McCosker and American Dave Bryant were involved in separate incidents.

It’s worth pointing out that all three men were highly skilled and very experienced drivers with numerous titles and championships between them.

And all three were driving Blown Alcohol Displacement (BAD) boats with open cockpits.

Glenn Banks, President of the Australian Power Boat Association (APBA) said a 'full investigation' would be carried out into the accident.

'Apparently, it has resulted from a mechanical failure, in this case evidently a broken propeller,' Mr Banks said.

'Such a thing is not unheard of, but it could be termed somewhat rare.

'The APBA Australia-wide is constantly working on improving safety and we shall continue to strive with that aim,' he added.

Mr Banks was one of many who paid tribute to John Cross.

'He was a true gentleman of the sport and while the boat racing community is in mourning we will continue to race, but it will never be the same,' he added.

John Davoll and Graham Hart, two officials from Sydney’s Upper Hawkesbury Power Boat Club (UHPBC), were on duty as stewards at the Yarrawonga meeting.

Both men were reportedly 'gutted' at the loss of their good mate.

'John drove and drive superbly at the UHPBC’s recent September races at the Windsor Marine Stadium', Mr Davoll said.

'John Cross was one of the sport’s most popular figures and his loss, together with that of Brian McCosker and Dave Bryant has delivered a devastating blow to powerboat racing.

'We continue to undertake a comprehensive safety review and will continue to implement sweeping changes in a bid to make the sport safer for all concerned,' he added.

John Cross is survived by his wife, Kristy, a nee-born son Jackson and adult children Justin, a promising young cricketer with the Australian Institute of Sport and Kaylah, an equally promising jockey.

Powerboat racing competitors and supporters across the nation have voiced numerous tributes to John Cross and the New Zealand Powerboat Association has expressed condolences on its website.

Tributes can be left on the site ozboatracers.com


All here at Powerboat-World extend deepest sympathies to the Cross family; as someone wrote ‘Champions live forever and John Cross was a true champion.'