Abu Dhabi, December 12: Tragedy struck the 2009 Class One UIM/WPPA World Powerboat Championship when two drivers died after they were involved in a high speed crash, on Friday.
Rookie Emirati driver Mohammad Al Mehairi and French throttleman Jean-Marc Sanchez of Victory Team lost control of their powerboat, which flipped and overturned several times, at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), Mina Seyahi.
A pall of gloom descended on the venue where large crowds had gathered.
The accident happened during the early stages of the race, which was subsequently red-flagged.
A rescue boat was rushed to the spot and paramedics tried to revive the drivers. They were later airlifted to Rashid Hospital and all efforts to resuscitate them were in vain.
“Both Mohammad Al Muhairi and Jean-Marc Sanchez have died following the crash,” confirmed Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of the DIMC and President of the World Professional Powerboat Association (WPPA) during a press conference.
“They were rushed to hospital where doctors pronounced them dead,” added Hareb.
The race and all related events were called off following the accident.
—Agencies