Two Powerboat Racers Killed In Key West Championship Race (Video)

As hundreds of spectators on Mallory Pier watched in horror in Key West yesterday, a powerboat skipping across the water during the Super Boat World Championships hit a wake, caught too much air, and violently flipped. A helicopter rushed to the crash, but the boat's pilot and throttleman were both...

By Tim Elfrink

November 10, 2011

Help us weather the uncertain future

We know — the economic times are hard. We believe that our work of reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now is more important than ever.

We need to raise $6,000 to meet our goal by August 10. If you’re able to make a contribution of any amount, your dollars will make an immediate difference in helping ensure the future of local journalism in Miami. Thanks for reading Miami New Times.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$2,300

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

As hundreds of spectators on Mallory Pier watched in horror in Key West yesterday, a powerboat skipping across the water during the Super Boat World Championships hit a wake, caught too much air, and violently flipped. A helicopter rushed to the crash, but the boat's pilot and throttleman were both killed when the cockpit was completely crushed in the accident, which several fans caught on video.

The Miami Herald identifies the dead boaters as Bob Morgan, owner of Big Thunder Marina in Sunrise Beach, Missouri, and Jeffrey Tillman of Kaiser, Missouri.

Their 46-foot boat, called Big Thunder, was left crushed and torn by the impact of the crash.

The deaths are the first since 1995 in the tournament, which is considered "the Indianapolis 500" of speedboat racing, at least according to the Herald.

Memorials for Morgan and Tillman will be held before the second race in the tourney continues as scheduled Friday.

Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.

Tim Elfrink is a former investigative reporter and managing editor for Miami New Times. He has won the George Polk Award and was a finalist for the Goldsmith Prize for Investigative Reporting.

A message from News Editor Natasha Yee: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today