BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — A Springfield, Missouri, man died following an explosion during a jet-fueled semitruck performance Saturday at a southwestern Michigan air show, officials said.
Emergency crews responded after the explosion happened about 1 p.m. at the Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.
Chris Darnell, 40, was driving the Shockwave Jet Truck down a runway at Battle Creek Executive Airport when the explosion occurred, air show spokeswoman Suze Gusching told the Battle Creek Enquirer.
The truck is powered by two jet engines and reached speeds topping 300 mph, according to Springfield, Missouri-based Darnell Racing Enterprises.
No other injuries were reported.
A post on the Shockwave Jet Truck Facebook page by owner Neal Darnell, Chris’ father, attributed the explosion to a mechanical failure.
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What is it YOU guys say about stupid games and stupid prizes…🤨…?!?
I’m not going to say anything about stupid games like at least one other commenter.
But crashes, blown engines, exploding tires, fires, etc are all part and parcel with motorsports.
Sometimes the results can be fatal in spite of the safety measures in place.
Every participant know this and the risks involved.
Humans are forever pushing the boundaries and limits of ourselves and the machines we build. Part of the results are the improvements to every day technologies.