Third racer dies at Super Boat Key West World Championships
by Powerboat-World.com on 13 Nov 2011
SW
A third racer has died during the Super Boat 31st annual Key West World Championships.
Reports say Page Motorsports throttleman, veteran powerboat racer Joey Gratton 59, of University Park, Fla., died on Saturday in a medical center from injuries sustained on Friday. Nearing the end of the seven-lap race, the boat rolled over twice. Paramedics pulled the critically injured Gratton from the water.
Stephen Page of Fort Myers, the owner and driver of the 38-foot catamaran, swam clear and was treated at a nearby medical facility.
The statement realsed by Super Boat International:
'Super Boat International announced that veteran offshore powerboat racer Joey Gratton died from injuries sustained during the 31st annual Key West World Championships. The accident occurred in the final laps of Friday’s powerboat event. Both racers were transported to Lower Keys Medical Center. Owner and driver, Stephen Page is in good condition. Gratton, a veteran throttleman of offshore racing will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with the entire Gratton family and racing.'
The incident follows the deaths on November 9 of Jeff Tillman and Robert Morgan, who died when their boat apparently became airborne and crashed into the water at high speed.
According to John Carbonell, president of Super Boat International, scheduled racing will continue on Sunday.
Superboat International
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