<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MIQsU8ZpFmE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1 =0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MIQsU8ZpFmE&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1 =0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s38LLiQ3RHw&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1 =0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s38LLiQ3RHw&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1 =0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
Unconfigured Ad Widget
Collapse
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
2010 Gold Cup U-37 crash video
Collapse
X
-
Jw
driver Myers suffers broken bones in foot after crash on Detroit River
By Mike Brudenell
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Comments (5) Recommend Print E-mail Letter to the editor Share Facebook Twitter FarkIt Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Newsvine Buzz up!
J.W. Myers paid an unexpected visit to the Roostertail restaurant on the Detroit River on Saturday.
It’s one he won’t care to repeat.
Myers, 36, crashed into the Roostertail’s concrete seawall, suffering broken bones in his left foot during Heat 1B of the APBA Gold Cup, one of the scariest moments in boat racing ever witnessed on the river. He was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Detroit, where he will be kept overnight.
Myers’ U-37 Miss Peters & May Unlimited Hydroplane broke a skid fin — vital to the steering of the boat in the turns — as Myers approached the notorious Roostertail turn shortly before noon today, sending him skimming out of control across the water and headed, at first, toward the race pit docks.
Somehow, Myers appeared to turn the boat to the right, scrub off speed, and, in the process, avoid hitting the pits. Instead, he veered into the Roostertail seawall at more than 100 m.p.h., sending restaurant patrons scurrying for cover from flying boat parts.
After the impact, which could be heard all over the river, Myers struggled from his cockpit and lay on the deck of the yellow-and-blue hydroplane, which had heavy damage to the left side of the boat. Rescue workers were at the scene quickly, picking up Myers and ferrying him to a waiting ambulance at the far end of the pits.
Erick Ellstrom, owner of the U-96 Spirit of Qatar hydroplane driven by 2009 Gold Cup winner Dave Villwock, watched the accident unfold.
“J.W. came out of the boat on his own,” said Ellstrom. “He’s young and tough. He’ll be sore tomorrow, but he’ll be all right.”
Villwock broke a skid fin in Quebec in 2005, he said, during an Unlimited race there and ran into some rocks on the shore. He heard on the radio that Myers had crashed as he passed the start-finish line of the heat.
“Someone said he’d crashed into the crowd,” said Villwock.
Villwock said when you break a skid fin, there is little you can do to steer the boat properly with the rudder.
“He (Myers) did everything he could under the circumstances,” said Villwock, a seven-time Gold Cup champion.
There were no reports of injuries to spectators from flying debris following Myers’ wreck, which caused a long delay in Saturday’s race program.
5
Comments >>
Read and share your thoughts on this story.
U-37 Miss Peters And May driver J.W. Myers lays on the top of his hydroplane after he crashes during an preliminary heat at the 2010 Detroit Gold Cup on Saturday, July 10, 2010 in Detroit. (RASHAUN RUCKER/Detroit Free Press)
Photo Galleries
Day 2: Gold Cup Hydroplane Races
More sports headlines
Rookie Weinhardt gets out of jam; Tigers tame Twins
Monroe doesn't pass up chance to make amends
Hydroplane driver rushed to hospital after crash on Detroit River
Tigers will try to make it 2-0 vs. Twins
Germany wins Cup third-place game, 3-2
Get breaking sports news alerts sent to your phone.
Enter your phone number:
Your info (optional)
Sex: Male Female
Zip:
Age:
T & C | Privacy | Cancel Alerts
Powered by 4INFO. Standard Messaging Rates or other charges apply. To Opt-out text STOP to 4INFO (44636). For more information text HELP to 4INFO (44636). Contact your carrier for more details.
PLACE AN AD ON FREEP.COM
most popular
most popular, most comments & most recommended
Hydroplane driver rushed to hospital after crash on Detroit River
'Pure Michigan' spoofs going viral on YouTube
Detroit pawnshop gets TV series
Pistons rookie Greg Monroe doesn't pass up chance to make amends
Tour de France rider Mark Cavendish sheds tears after Stage 5 win
Former Red Wing Bob Probert cherished as a teammate, father
Tigers tame Twins, thanks in part to rookie Robbie Weinhardt
Detroit bus drivers stage apparent 'sick-out'
Miss USA Rima Fakih parties Friday night at Westin in Detroit
Fans honor Probert
Ads by Pulse 360 Get Listed Here
AARP® Auto Insurance- Official Site
Over 50? Save an Avg $397 on Auto Insurance. No Hassle, Free Quotes!
AARP.TheHartford.com
Unemployed or Laid Off?
Use Government Funding to Get Your College Degree Online. Free Info.
www.AmericasEDUplan.org
TODAY: iPads for $23.78?
Report: Apple iPads are being auctioned for an incredible 83% off!
ConsumerProductsDigest.com
Related Stories
Saginaw River is carp country
Course can be rough ride Hydroplane racing
Gold Cup hydroplanes hit the Detroit River
Gold Cup: Jeff Bernard aims to make big splash this weekend on Detroit River
LeBron James' decision good for the NBA
Related Topics
Sports - Sports Etc.
Contextual linking provided by Topix
Comment
-
Scarey Moment
Saw this live today. Very fortunate that the boat struck only the seawall and that the impact was spread over the full left side of the boat. The U-37 team worked very hard on Friday, improving its qualifying position. They deserved a better outcome for thaie efforts.David Weaver
Comment
-
Updates Please
Originally posted by David Weaver View PostSaw this live today. Very fortunate that the boat struck only the seawall and that the impact was spread over the full left side of the boat. The U-37 team worked very hard on Friday, improving its qualifying position. They deserved a better outcome for thaie efforts.
Thanks
Jim
Comment
-
HTML Code:
"https://twitter.com/HydroRacerTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @HydroRacerTV
Comment
-
From Detroit
Originally posted by Nilsen Racing View PostCould someone not only give us an update on JW, but an update on JW's dad John. From what I hear John had a mild heart attack after (first hand) watching JW's accident. Both are hospitalized but in stable condition. What is the latest???
Thanks
Jim
The moves J-Dub did to avert hitting the pit area and or spectators were nothing short of heroic. I can't believe how he managed to sustain such relatively minor damage to himself.
The boat is a yard sale. Messed up with a capital F.
Detroit Rescue was phenomenal in their response time. Kudos to them.
I heard an unsubstantiated report that the GPS in the boat said he was travelling at 88 mph upon impact. No airbags in that thing either.
John was dischareged from the hospital at around 6 pm tonight after being treated for dehydration. His spirits are good.
J Dub has 4 bone breaks in his foot and a dislocated toe; he'll see the surgeon tomorrow. Doctors don't want him to fly for a few days due to risk of a blood clot. That mean's he may be stuck in Motown for a few days or have to ride home in the truck. Ugh.
Boats can be repaired or replaced; bones can heal. For me, the best part of today is knowing that I still have two of my best friends in my boat racing family here. I believe God heard a few quick prayers today.
R-19
Comment
-
I just added a new clip taken from the pits scroll back up to the top of the thread.HTML Code:
"https://twitter.com/HydroRacerTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" class="twitter-follow-button" data-show-count="false">Follow @HydroRacerTV
Comment
-
Originally posted by sponsonhead View PostI'm not going to lie: That was the sacriest thing in boat racing I've ever seen and hope I never see or hear ANYTHING like that again.
The moves J-Dub did to avert hitting the pit area and or spectators were nothing short of heroic. I can't believe how he managed to sustain such relatively minor damage to himself.
The boat is a yard sale. Messed up with a capital F.
Detroit Rescue was phenomenal in their response time. Kudos to them.
I heard an unsubstantiated report that the GPS in the boat said he was travelling at 88 mph upon impact. No airbags in that thing either.
John was dischareged from the hospital at around 6 pm tonight after being treated for dehydration. His spirits are good.
J Dub has 4 bone breaks in his foot and a dislocated toe; he'll see the surgeon tomorrow. Doctors don't want him to fly for a few days due to risk of a blood clot. That mean's he may be stuck in Motown for a few days or have to ride home in the truck. Ugh.
Boats can be repaired or replaced; bones can heal. For me, the best part of today is knowing that I still have two of my best friends in my boat racing family here. I believe God heard a few quick prayers today.
R-19
Thanks again for the update.
Jim
Comment
-
great driving....
Originally posted by sponsonhead View PostI'm not going to lie: That was the sacriest thing in boat racing I've ever seen and hope I never see or hear ANYTHING like that again.
The moves J-Dub did to avert hitting the pit area and or spectators were nothing short of heroic. I can't believe how he managed to sustain such relatively minor damage to himself.
The boat is a yard sale. Messed up with a capital F.
Detroit Rescue was phenomenal in their response time. Kudos to them.
I heard an unsubstantiated report that the GPS in the boat said he was travelling at 88 mph upon impact. No airbags in that thing either.
John was dischareged from the hospital at around 6 pm tonight after being treated for dehydration. His spirits are good.
J Dub has 4 bone breaks in his foot and a dislocated toe; he'll see the surgeon tomorrow. Doctors don't want him to fly for a few days due to risk of a blood clot. That mean's he may be stuck in Motown for a few days or have to ride home in the truck. Ugh.
Boats can be repaired or replaced; bones can heal. For me, the best part of today is knowing that I still have two of my best friends in my boat racing family here. I believe God heard a few quick prayers today.
R-19Bill Dingman "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Comment
Comment