Stunt truck with jet engine crashes at Michigan air show, driver dies – Henry Club

Police had previously reported that the crash occurred “during the pyrotechnic portion of the show” at approximately 1:10 p.m. at the Battle Creek Field of the Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.

The video, shot by air show participant Mike Westra, shows the truck racing two planes, turning around and accelerating down the runway before crashing. Another video shows a parachute deployed on the back of the truck just before the accident.

Vestra told CNN that a thick plume of black smoke and fire seen in the video was part of the show’s pyrotechnic display and was not related to the accident. Smoke and fire are visible in the video before the truck lost control.

Westra said emergency responders at the airport were on standby and responded quickly. “Within a minute or two they were pouring water on the fire,” said Westra.

Once the fire was extinguished, Vestra saw the burnt debris, “it turned upside down,” he told CNN.

Police said the Police Department and the Battle Creek Fire Department are investigating the accident.

According to a post on the festival’s Facebook page, the rest of the air show scheduled for Saturday was canceled following the accident.

The Shockwave jet truck is capable of reaching speeds of over 350 mph, According to company websiteAccording to the site, the truck was operated by Darnell and owned by Darnell Racing Enterprises of Springfield, Missouri.
in a statement, Darnell’s father, Neil Darnell, confirms that his youngest son has diedWriting the accident occurred “as a result of a mechanical failure”.

“We are deeply saddened,” wrote Neil Darnell. “Just a month ago Chris turned 40. He was deeply loved by everyone who knew him. Chris loved air show business.”

family established gofundme Campaign to help Darnell’s wife and two daughters.

CNN’s Sarah Smart contributed to this report.