Paul Smith's Fatal Crash @ Detroit River 1992
- 3 months ago
Notes:
Oakland County veteran hydroplane builder and driver Paul Smith, 42-year-old of West Bloomfield township, Michigan, sustained critical injuries about 11h30 on Saturday morning 13 June 1992 while competing in the first heat of the limited-class Grand Prix race. The race was part of the 1992 American Power Boat Association (APBA) Silver Cup Regatta on the Detroit River.
Paul Smith was traveling in sixth place on the opening lap at an estimated speed of 125 mi/h (201 Km/h) near the Belle Isle Bridge when his 22-foot #115 boat named "Hydrophobia" powered by a 500-cubic-inch Chevrolet engine fueled by methanol, broke apart. Apparently the boat bounced off another boat's wake, then rose up and flipped over. On impact with the water the left side of the craft was torn off and part of its rudder was knocked off. It is believed that the boat's rudder was damaged after hitting something in the water before the crash.
His helmet came off and Paul Smith suffered injuries. He was still strapped into the boat under water for several minutes before the emergency crews reached him. He was rushed by helicopter to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead on Sunday, 14 June 1992 early morning.
R.I.P
Oakland County veteran hydroplane builder and driver Paul Smith, 42-year-old of West Bloomfield township, Michigan, sustained critical injuries about 11h30 on Saturday morning 13 June 1992 while competing in the first heat of the limited-class Grand Prix race. The race was part of the 1992 American Power Boat Association (APBA) Silver Cup Regatta on the Detroit River.
Paul Smith was traveling in sixth place on the opening lap at an estimated speed of 125 mi/h (201 Km/h) near the Belle Isle Bridge when his 22-foot #115 boat named "Hydrophobia" powered by a 500-cubic-inch Chevrolet engine fueled by methanol, broke apart. Apparently the boat bounced off another boat's wake, then rose up and flipped over. On impact with the water the left side of the craft was torn off and part of its rudder was knocked off. It is believed that the boat's rudder was damaged after hitting something in the water before the crash.
His helmet came off and Paul Smith suffered injuries. He was still strapped into the boat under water for several minutes before the emergency crews reached him. He was rushed by helicopter to Detroit Receiving Hospital where he was pronounced dead on Sunday, 14 June 1992 early morning.
R.I.P