Spectators were left in shock as a speedboat attempting to break a speed record at more than 200mph dramatically flipped twice in midair before crashing into the water at the Desert Storm Shootout boating event.
The Skater 388 Freedom One Racing speedboat, boasting a staggering 10,000 horsepower, was caught on video hurtling across the surface of Lake Havasu on Saturday before suddenly launching airborne. The vessel performed two full 360-degree flips before crashing nose-first into the lake, creating an enormous splash.
“Holy f***” — Terrifying Moment Captured on Video
In footage now circulating widely on social media, onlookers can be heard gasping in horror as the catastrophic stunt unfolded.
“Holy f***,” one witness exclaimed repeatedly, while another could be heard shouting, “S***,” as the boat spun through the air.
Fortunately, despite the devastating impact, the boat miraculously landed upright.
Both Racers Escape Unharmed
According to Speedboat Magazine, the two crew members, who race under the pseudonyms John Wayne and Clint Eastwood and hail from Kansas City, Missouri, escaped serious injury. They were both taken to hospital for precautionary checks but were reported to be in stable condition.
“After several tense moments, both driver and throttleman emerged from the closed canopied cockpit, uninjured but are being taken to the hospital for further examination,” said Speedboat Magazine in a statement.
Skater 388’s Cockpit Credited for Saving Lives
Competitor Jeff Clark, also at the Desert Storm Shootout, described the incident as “horrendous.”
“My heart dropped when I saw that boat get airborne,” Clark told FOX 10 Phoenix. “It’s never something you want to see when you’re out having fun as a driver.”
Clark credited the Skater 388’s robust cockpit design for saving the racers’ lives, noting that while the boat was destroyed, the reinforced cockpit remained intact.
“That cockpit saved their lives. No doubt about it,” Clark said. “I tip my hat to the Skater team that built that boat.”
Investigation Underway
Officials have not yet confirmed what caused the speedboat to become airborne during the record attempt, but an investigation into the incident is expected.
The Desert Storm Shootout is one of the most prestigious high-performance boating events in the United States, attracting top racers and speed enthusiasts from around the world.
The crash comes just one day before another major watercraft incident — a ferry collision with a smaller boat in Clearwater, Florida, which left one dead and multiple injured.
