Details are emerging on a fatal accident that occurred during the Point Pleasant Offshore Grand Prix Sunday, during which one boat flipped, fell onto another, causing at least one fatality and one critical injury.
The accident apparently occurred just after 1 p.m. during a early, small boat race off Bay Head. The accident occurred on the second turn of the race. The racer who list his life was identified as David Raabe, of Lacey Township. He was one of two men racing in the Repeat Offender boat when it was hit by the CRC Smith Brothers boat.
Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Stephen Reid told multiple news outlets, including News 12 and The Star-Ledger, that one boat went airborne and landed on another boat.
“It was rough, but not as rough as these racers are used to,” Reid told the television network.
The main race, which was supposed to have featured nationally-ranked racing boats and throttlemen, was canceled.
A slew of agencies responded, including the U.S. Coast Guard, NJ State Police, Brick Township Police and various rescue agencies and volunteers.
“They didn’t want to race the bigger boats in the second race out of respect to the decease member” of the racing community, Reid said.
