Everything happens in threes

24th January 2010

Day 2 of the Berri Resort Hotel Speedboat Spectacular has certainly been what the name suggests- spectacular but for all the wrong reasons.

Three serious incidents occurred throughout the day.

First it was Dean Borg in Proformance in only race 2. A devastating accident that left onlookers shocked- the biggest crash seen at Berri since Tony Walsh's infamous collision with Craig Bailey. The prop on Proformance threw a blade, completely ripped the skeg and prop shaft out and sent Dean on the wildest ride of his life. Luckily Dean walked away from the incident and no other drivers were injured as a result of the boats wild behaviour.

Next up was a most unfortunate accident involving two 6 litre boats. Sources say the incident has left Peter Price of All Torque seriously inujured and in hospital with facial & hand injuries plus a badly broken jaw. Another Madam collided with all Torque in the first corner and the bow obviously impacted on the injured drivers face.

After a lengthy delay the racing was under way again but only one of the remaining unlimited races were actually completed after all were red flagged due to boats stopped on the course. Obviously today just wasn't meant to be.

In the final of the King of The River, Dave Clark spun while in third position and Alan Newton in Truly Wicked was following closely behind. Having nowhere to go in the corner, Newton's boat ran up over the top of Tuff'e'Nuff's deck and ripped a hole from one side to the other. Clark was lucky to escape injury and was bitterly disappointed in this end to his otherwise excellent weekend of racing.

In addition to these three serious accidents Alf Ebborn endured a fire on board his cell boat and it was another case of the driver being completely unaware of the situation. Ebborn continued to drive the fire ridden boat and luckily it seemed to extinguish itself before the red flag was produced in yet another race that failed to reach it's end.

Tim May also had a near miss and very nearly ended up going for a swim- his deep V Stephens was turning hard and seemed to get swamped by a large wave that caused the boat to buck in the opposite direction he was turning. Witnesses were certain he had been ejected from the boat but after the spray cleared he was seen still clinging to the steering wheel. The cursed bridge end turn failed to claim another victim on this occasion.

Our thoughts are with Peter Price and his family who will be anxiously waiting by his bedside at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Wishing Peter a speedy recovery.