Third Power Boat Racer Dies In Key West Race
KEY WEST (CBS4)- A third Florida offshore powerboat racer died from injuries during the 31st annual Key West World Championships, Super Boat International reported.
Meanwhile, his teammate is in good condition following a Friday accident at the championship event.
Joey Gratton, of Sarasota, was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami in critical condition and later died, according to officials with Super Boat International, the event's sanctioning body.
Super Boat International released a statement Saturday announcing Gratton's death.
"Gratton, a veteran throttleman of offshore racing will be greatly missed," the release read. "Our prayers are with the entire Gratton family and racing community."
Gratton's death marks the third power boat racer death since the championship race began Wednesday.
Big Thunder Marine, a 46-foot Skater catamaran (#100) with four 1,200 hp engines, crashed during the third lap of Wednesday's race inside Key West Harbor. Robert M. Morgan of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman of Kaiser, Mo., were the throttleman and driver respectively piloting the boat.
Story: Deadly Crash On 1st Day Of Keys Power Boat Races
Rescue divers were deployed within a minute of the accident and the crew members were transferred to Lower Keys Medical Center. Both died later, according to Rodrick Cox, public relations director for Superboat International, the world championship's public relations director.
Gratton and teammate Stephen Page, owner and driver of Page Motorsports, rolled over during the final lap of Friday's race at checkpoint 1. The 38-foot Superboat 850-class Skater catamaran, rolled over twice in turn 1 of the 6.5-mile course Friday. No other boats were involved in the accident.
Page, a Fort Myers resident, was admitted in good condition to Lower Keys Medical Center, officials said. He has since been released from the hospital.
The Page Motorsports facebook page posted was filled with condolence messages from fans. A photo of Gratton and his partner, Priscilla, was also posted with a comment that read:
"Joey and Priscilla in happier times.....We are deeply saddened and stunned by the tragic sudden loss of Joey.....Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the Gratton family especially Priscilla, Brock and Blake, as well as Steve and Maisey Page....You will be missed Joey.....Our deepest sympathies, Terrie & Ron."
A memorial was held Saturday afternoon for Gratton.
For more on the Key West World Championship visit http://www.superboat.com
(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Andy Newman of the Florida Keys News Bureau contributed material for this report)
