Battle Creek air show accident: 1 killed in jet truck explosion in Michigan, police say

The incident occurred Saturday shortly after 1 p.m. on the Battle Creek Subject of Flight Air Present and Balloon Pageant, held at Battle Creek Govt Airport.

Chris Darnell, 40, died whereas driving a race truck dubbed the Shockwave Jet Truck through the air present, police mentioned in an replace Saturday night. The accident is underneath investigation.

Dramatic video by attendees of the air present captured the truck racing two plane on the runway earlier than the accident occurred. A small fireplace behind the truck may be seen because the automobile slides previous a big fireball and crashes, ABC Information reported.

“Oh boy, we have got an incident right here with our Shockwave out right here at Air Present Heart,” the announcer may be heard saying following the accident.

The Battle Creek Fireplace Division, Battle Creek Police Division and Federal Aviation Administration responded to the scene, police mentioned.

Police haven’t launched any additional info amid the investigation.

The rest of Saturday’s air present was canceled “out of respect for the incident that has occurred,” Battle Creek Subject of Flight mentioned in an announcement. Saturday night’s actions have been scheduled to renew on the competition, which runs by means of Monday.

Shockwave, a custom-built race truck, is owned by Darnell Racing Enterprises, primarily based in Springfield, Missouri. ABC Information has reached out to the corporate for remark.

The truck, which was outfitted with three flame-shooting jet engines, was able to racing at over 350 mph, in accordance with its house owners. It regularly appeared at air present and drag racing exhibitions throughout the nation.

Darnell was concerned in motorsports “his total life,” in accordance with a bio on Darnell Racing’s web site, and labored together with his father within the enterprise.