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Joey Cappelletti
Lansing, Mississippi (AP) —The father of a jet engine-powered semi-track driver who died during a performance at an air show in southwestern Missigan: It states as follows. The truck burned on Tuesday after the blown tires burst the fuel tank.
Chris Darnell, 40, died in a Saturday accident during a race between a Shockwave Jet Truck and two planes at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival. No one else was injured in the accident.
According to Darnell Racing Enterprise, based in Springfield, Missouri, bespoke jet trucks reach speeds in excess of 350 mph (560 km / h) and race at air shows across North America.
"When the tires fell apart, the fuel tank on the left side of the car burst and, of course, a fire broke out. Chris was so fast that he didn't have time to react. "I did," driver's father Neil Darnell told the Associated Press.
A video from the audience shows that the truck is firing before turning the runway over at Battle Creek Executive Airport.
Neil Darnell, who also drives Shockwave, said he had seen a video of the accident and concluded what happened after examining the jet truck. He said this was the only accident Darnell Racing Enterprise had experienced in 20 years.
The Battle Creek Police Department is investigating.
"Most people don't like their job. Chris loved his job. He would say he lived his dreams quite regularly, and I he I loved it for the sake of it, "Darnel said.
The family is waiting for an autopsy report to find out the official cause of death.
Chris Darnell leaves his wife and two young daughters.
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Joey Cappelletti is a member of the Associated Press / Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in the local newsroom to report on uncovered issues.
