KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA | Unlimited Hydroplane Accident at Detroit Gold Cup; U-37 JW Myers slams into wall during heat race

Unlimited Hydroplane Accident at Detroit Gold Cup; U-37 JW Myers slams into wall during heat race

Detroit, MICH - (July 10, 2010)

Heat 1B

JW Myers in the U-37 Peters & May Unlimited Hydroplane led the other competitors across the start line of heat 1B for Detroit's Gold Cup, but in the third lap, he was battling for second place with J. Michael Kelly in the U-7 Graham Trucking.

Myers got into the apex of the corner in lap two.  It appeared the skid fin let go on the U-37.  The boat was unable to keep its line and ran through the wash off the U-7, sending it off the course and towards the pits.  Myers managed to keep the boat away from the main pit area - which could have been disastrous -  but slammed into the Roostertail turn wall, sending pieces of the boat flying into the air.

"He lost a fin, and smacked the seawall.  He came out of the boat on his own, so he should be all right. JW is young and tough. He is going to be very sore tomorrow."

U-96 owner Erik Ellstrom in the Detroit Free Press

Myers popped the hood and got out of the boat, laying down to let emergency personnel get to him.  He was taken to a local hospital to get checked out.

Full story, photos, and race coverage >>

UPDATE:  Witnesses said Myers was moving his arms and alert during transport from the boat.  He was taken for assessment at St. Johns Hospital in Detroit.  He is alert and talking.  He was treated for an ankle injury.  Reportedly, he never lost consciousness during the crash. 

UPDATE:  Myers has broken bones in his left foot.

"His (skid) fin came right off and there's nothing you can do after that. He was just along for the ride. I've never seen anything like that here. I think the fin was coming loose on the first turn of the heat because he almost hit us. The boat hooked a little then and I know it wasn't because of JW's driving."

U-96 owner Erik Ellstrom in the The Detroit News