Fabio Buzzi powerboat crash

[ecsrobin]

A report this morning is saying he has died along with 2 unnamed British power or races and a 4th racer taken to hospital after hitting a dam in Venice trying to set a new record.

https://ilglobo.com.au/news/45141/motorboat-racer-...

[Equus]

Also being reported on the BBC

One of the most important and well respected figures in European powerboat racing.

[Pintofbest]

ecsrobin said:

A report this morning is saying he has died along with 2 unnamed British power or races and a 4th racer taken to hospital after hitting a dam in Venice trying to set a new record.

https://ilglobo.com.au/news/45141/motorboat-racer-...

Updated news now:

"The other two dead include a Dutch mechanic who has not been named, and Luca Nicolini, also from Italy, according to the president of the Italian Offshore and Endurance Committee, Giampaolo Montavoci.

Mr Montavoci told the BBC the information came from the only survivor, Mario Invernizzi who is now being treated in hospital for injuries after being thrown overboard.

Earlier reports about two British pilots being among those dead are incorrect, Mr Montavoci said."

[Yacht Broker]

Tragic news. Has put a bit of a dampener over the Genoa boat show (where I am now), especially amongst the Italian offshore powerboat brigade (with whom I am working right now).

RIP

[Scrump]

Very sad news.
I met him at his factory in the early 1990s. He was a great host and made sure I was well looked after when surveying some of his boats. I shall never forget the sight and sound of Seatek diesels being run up in the engine test cell.

[anonymous-user]

Sad story. I guess we all know offshore power boats are wild animals.

I was recently on long Island, NY and visited the beach. We heard a deep roar in the distance and looking out to sea spotted a small aircraft flying quite low and at first thought that was making the noise. Then noticed a short distance in front of the plane a large amount of water spray was being thrown in the air. Clearly it was an offshore power boat running at speed with a photo aircraft following. The whole thing was a long way offshore, towards the horizon, and what really struck us was the incredible speed the power boat and aircraft were moving from right to left across our field of vision. Absolutely astounding.

RIP

[dvs_dave]

rockin said:

Sad story. I guess we all know offshore power boats are wild animals.

You hit anything solid going 70+ knots, it’s not going to end well.

[Scrump]

One of the chaps I met at Fabio’s place had lost an arm when his boat flipped. The seat supported his body but the arm was ripped off (this is the tale he told me).
This happened before the boats had fighter canopies fitted.

[ecsrobin]

I hadn’t noticed when posting this but to the day of Fabio's crash 7 years ago I lost a good friend in a powerboat race in Weymouth.

Weymouth powerboat crash: Mike Lovell dies from injuries http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19621940

[Scrump]

Sorry to hear about your friend. That does not seem like 7 years ago.
It is an unforgiving sport.