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cumberline
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![[*]](./images/xpsilver/default_icon.gif) posted on 9-6-2008 at 02:00 PM |
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Poker Run cancelled after boat flips, rolls at 130 mph, killing driver
Some of this info is direct, some from news sources. As details are still happening, updates will be made.
UPDATED 1 AM ET SUNDAY
The running of the 2008 Lake Cumberland Poker Run was called off Saturday, after a tragic accident happened shortly after the first flight of very
high speed boats departed from State Dock on the first leg of the run toward Conley Bottom and Burnside Marinas.
According to reports, a 2003 Skater 36 catamaran based in Greenwood IN flipped on a boat wake while traveling at a speed of around 130 miles per hour.
The pilot and passenger were pulled from the water by bystanders and water patrol, and rushed to the ramp at Jamestown Marina, where they were
transferred to EMS ambulance and taken to the ER at Russell County Hospital in Russell Springs.
Russell County Coronor Larry Skaggs is reported by local radio WJRS-104.9 as confirming the driver, Kevin Sellers of the Indianapolis area, died from
his injuries. A post on this forum says that he was unmarried with no children.
Sellers was quickly recovered after the crash and trained paramedics reportedly gave him continuous CPR on the way in. He may have had a serious neck
injury. The passenger, Craig Stumpf, also from the Indianapolis area, reportedly suffered a possible broken knee and bruises from his ejection into
the water, and was hospitalized but is reportedly recovering.
Witnesses say the crash occured when Sellers hit a wave/wake while trying to turn a corner as he chased a fast boat in front of him. According to a
report from Marine Assist on this forum: "(Sellers) was attempting to pass the boat in the lead. The Skater came down 'wrong' on the starboard rear
and began to chine walk. The starboard bow dug in to the water, which broke the hole throught the hull you see. That water forced through the
starboard sponson like a cannon and blew out the transom. The weight and drag caused the boat to flip over, throw the occupants out and take on water.
It partially sank, leaving only 12 feet of the bow above the water."
The boat was powered by twin Sterling 1150 HP engines and reportedly capable of speeds up to 150 mph.
The incident happened in the vicinity of Difficulty Creek. This is around the bend east-bound and uplake from State Dock and Wolf Creek. It is the
first larger creek section of the lake on the south shore just as the lake turns left to head east. The next lake section from that point is Harmon
Creek.
The rest of the actual "run" was called off. The poker cards were drawn on the dock by the registered participants.
Several of the fast boats in the first flight made high speed runs up the lake and back, unaware of the incident. The majority of the large fleet of
fast boats were not started. There were thousands of spectators on the shorelines of the lake as well as thousands of boats with spectators along the
course to watch.
Reportedly the crash was captured on video, which may be used to reconstruct the incident.
There are a number of photos taken by witnesses and others, including photos of the boat recovery, on the following thread...
http://lakecumberland.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=20824
(NOTE: CHECK THIS FIRST POST FOR FURTHER INFO AND UPDATES AS TIME PROGRESSES.)
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cumberline
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 03:58 PM |
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WJRS-104.9 radio has a report...
http://lakecumberland.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=20827
The Times Journal in Russell Springs has a report...
http://lakecumberland.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=20828
OffshoreOnly.com condolence thread...
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=194762
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Ohana
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 04:13 PM |
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What a tragedy!! Been a bad two weekends!! My heart goes out to the families. We will keep you in our prayers.
Please support your local Breast Cancer Research Foundation. We need a cure!!
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cumberline
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 04:47 PM |
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PHOTO of boat moments before crash
A photo made by J. Hoover for WJRS-104.9 radio shows the boat a few moments before its fatal crash a couple of miles from the point where this photo
was made. This photo was shot from The Bluffs development overlooking the main lake from just east of the State Dock bay. (It is the larger boat
passing the smaller one.)
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BobbyBurnside
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 05:14 PM |
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What a shame....it's been a great summer up till these last 2 weekends with the tragic events...
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Dansan
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:00 PM |
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Pictures of scene from Cave Springs Ramp Rd
I am going to post various pictures from the accident site today. Mostly of those that were there to recover the boat and assist. We saw Don of
Marine Assist of course, Law Enforcement, a rescue boat( I am not sure what agency it was from) and the Coast Guard Auxiliary, who now has a
detachment on Lake C.
I know sometimes Law enforcement especially is given a bad rap, but it is great to know they are here to help. Thank you First responders for your
assistance today.
Our sympathy goes out to friends and family in this tragedy.
Dansan has attached this image:
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Dansan
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:01 PM |
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another
Dansan has attached this image:
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Dansan
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:02 PM |
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another
Dansan has attached this image:
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Dansan
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Location: Ono.KY (Cave Springs)
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:02 PM |
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another
Dansan has attached this image:
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Dansan
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:03 PM |
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another
Dansan has attached this image:
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Dansan
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:04 PM |
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another
Dansan has attached this image:
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boatfreak
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:43 PM |
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Well folks someone has to say it.....I've run this poker run almost every year it's been run and every year I say that the people need to give us
some room. Well now what? I doubt this run will ever be run again but if it is there has to be a clear lake! I've known Kevin for a few years so to
be quite honest I don't want to here the grip that its everybodys lake. We ask for one day a year to run this thing and to put on a show and SOME
people are just so dumb that they can't figure out that these boats need room. I'm all for people being able to see the show but come on. I've done
several runs and this is the only one that has this problem.
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Downtown42
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 06:53 PM |
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Another NON-offshore poker run with big guns in 2 wks...Lk Norman
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BobbyBurnside
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 07:22 PM |
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Boatfreak....can you elaborate on exacty what happended? Did he hit the wake of another non competition boat, manuver suddenly to avoid another boat,
or something else?
Were there any other boats involved?
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cumberline
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| posted on 9-6-2008 at 11:50 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BobbyBurnside
Boatfreak....can you elaborate on exacty what happended? Did he hit the wake of another non competition boat, manuver suddenly to avoid another boat,
or something else?
Were there any other boats involved? |
This is from a post by forum member PumpkinCreek in the other thread...
"This happend right in front of us. It was typical Poker Run Racing. He was trying to catch the white boat in front of him, cut the corner and just
hit a wave wrong. It was ugly and quick. Could have happend to any of the go fast boats in the race. I did not know him personally, but he has been
around the poker runs for years."
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cumberline
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 12:55 AM |
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Original info at top of this thread has been updated as of 1 am Sunday. See the first post.
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cumberline
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 08:29 AM |
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Boat loses motor, takes on water, rescue squad responds
WKYM-101.7 reports this morning the local dispatch in Monticello reported a participating boat in the Poker Run had to be pulled to the bank of Lake
Cumberland near Ramsey Point after taking on water. The Wayne County Rescue Squad was called to the scene at 10:38 PM ET Saturday after receiving a
report that the boat had lost a motor.
No further details were available from the dispatch center.
http://wkym.com/news.php
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shurl
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 09:28 AM |
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I don't participate with the Poker Run other than to look at the boats and the scenery which are awesome. I actually dread that weekend, as it
rocks the out of the boats in the marina.
The worry of what is going to happen this year. The size of Lake Cumberland, which is one of the largest in the east, is too small for the size and
#'s of these boats even if you cleared the lake. Blame this on horse power, and the need for speed. I love how the poster above blamed this
accident on a bystander. Like if it were true, he had no right to be there. Ready to shoot first!
You want more room, go to the ocean! The PR isn't one day.... it's rip roarin all weekend, including midnight, which is moronic. To think that
this lake can be cleared for a 1 day event, for people that only come to this lake for one event is "dee dah deeeeeeee". I'll never stand for
that. So what if more money is spent in one day (weekend), by participants, than what I spend in an entire year. That is not the point.
This was going to happen, and won't be the last time, until the race is not an actual race. That's not happening either. This is another sad
event at LC. Hopefully something will be learned, and remembered.
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peteofpineywoods
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 10:30 AM |
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What is more dangerous than a 2 ton water rocket with over 2,000 Horse power traveling at 100 mph+? Not only dangerous for the driver and passenger,
but all of the spectators, on and off shore! Doesn't matter if you are on the bank, standing on an island, or in a boat in a cove. A stuck throttle
and a malfunctioning kill switch and you have an out of control runaway rocket ready to crash somewhere. Fortunately no innocent spectators got hurt
in the accident. Low lake levels make it more dangerous and compacted with the narrower chanels, an accident ready to happen.
It is rediculous to think the COE should close the lake for this event, that is like saying they should close Interstate 75 so I can run my hotrod at
150 MPH for a day.
Ironically, it is more dangerous to all involved than Concealed Carry on the lake, but we won't get into that on this thread.
I agree with OFFSHORE for an event such as this, JMO.
Rest in Peace T.J. and K.S.
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Nervous_Wreck
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 10:47 AM |
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As tragic as this weekend was, (and last) this is an event just like Nascar and the Indy 500. Risks are involved and everyone knows it. That's just
life as we see it now...and in the past. This is a great event that many look forward to each year.
Look at when Earnhardt died, like many others. The event just keeps going on. There is no way to make it 100% safe! Very very sad, but life goes
on.
My extended prayers to all.
When life sneeks up on you....so does time!!
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cumberline
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 10:54 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Nervous_Wreck
As tragic as this weekend was, (and last) this is an event just like Nascar and the Indy 500. Risks are involved and everyone knows it. That's just
life as we see it now...and in the past. This is a great event that many look forward to each year.
Look at when Earnhardt died, like many others. The event just keeps going on. There is no way to make it 100% safe! Very very sad, but life goes
on.
My extended prayers to all. |
That's my personal point of view. If you're going to run 130 mph on any body of water (or highway, or racetrack), you're pushing the envelope.
Eventually something bad is going to happen, for whatever reason.
I don't know why the run wasn't restarted in the afternoon, and I respect whoever's decision in the matter because I wasn't involved and don't
know any of the considerations. However, it would seem to me that it could have been done if enough wanted to do so ... perhaps with some kind of
limits imposed due to the conditions.
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Downtown42
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 11:20 AM |
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that is a 5 ton Rocket at 130+ headed towards you.
I am guessing, most participants were bummed out and not in the mood to hammer down, the rest of the run.
Just imagine last night's award banquet dinner 
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squakmeister
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 11:21 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by cumberline
I don't know why the run wasn't restarted in the afternoon, and I respect whoever's decision in the matter because I wasn't involved and don't
know any of the considerations. However, it would seem to me that it could have been done if enough wanted to do so ... perhaps with some kind of
limits imposed due to the conditions. |
One really good reason why it wasn't restarted may have been:
Look at the date / time stamp on Marine Assists post in the "Accident at Poker Run" thread (pic #3) showing the wrecked boat being towed away from
the acccident scene (2:35 PM). Also, it was sometime late evening before the boat was removed from the water at the Jamestown ramp.
Safety resources were already being utilized. An additional accident and / or crowd control could have over-extended available resources.
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BobbyBurnside
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 11:23 AM |
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It was earlier mentioned there may have been a video taken of the accident. Has that surfaced anywhere yet?
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Bluebird
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| posted on 9-7-2008 at 11:25 AM |
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In this thread, different personal points of view & opinion have been expressed on LC Poker Run Power Boat Events ---Some say Yes / Some Say No .
(Previous years same emotions, same Pro/Con listed)
I wonder how "3674 LC.com members" would vote in a simple - YES - NO suvey????
I'll vote if a LC.com survey is taken and I'll bet hundreds of LC.com lurkers would also. 
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