'Devastating': Daredevil, 28, killed during world record attempt
American daredevil Alex Harvill has tragically died after a horrific crash while attempting to set a world record on his motorbike.
He was only 28.
The stunt rider and father-of-two was rushed to hospital in Washington after a bad landing sent him flying over his handlebars during an attempt to set a world record motorcycle jump.
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Unfortunately, he later died from his injuries.
Harvill was trying to break the world record for a jump from a moveable, pre-built ramp to a dirt ramp, which currently stands at 351 feet (107m).
However, the stunt went horribly wrong during the daredevil's first practice attempt.
Harvill got what appeared to be a good takeoff when he landed short of the downward slope on the landing ramp, only for his bike to come to an abrupt halt.
The 28-year-old's helmet flew off as he was thrown over the handlebars, twisting at least once before hitting the ground some six metres away.
Paramedics and members of Harvill's family rushed to his aid but it was some time before emergency workers could decide the best way to transport him to hospital, with a medical helicopter on standby.
Harvill was loaded into an ambulance and driven to the nearby Samaritan Hospital, but sadly his injuries proved fatal.
Motorsport world rocked by Alex Harvill's death
The Grant County Sheriff's Office said Harvill died from the injuries he suffered during the accident and confirmed that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the cause and manner of his death.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to Alex’s family, friends and loved ones," the Sheriff's office said.
The devastating tragedy left fans distraught as tributes to the young daredevil rolled in on social media.
Awful news out my hometown today: Alex Harvill was warming up for a world-record jump at the Moses Lake Air Show today and was in a bad crash. He landed short on his jump and flew over the handlebars. He was rushed to the hospital, where, sadly, he later died from his injuries. pic.twitter.com/uIylWHTshR
— Kendall (34-36) (@_kendallrjones_) June 17, 2021
RIP Alex Harvill, I never got the chances to meet him but he was close with some of my bmx homies and guys that used to put on the bmx jams back in day, was going for the world record distance jump today and had an accident on a practice jump. 😞 pic.twitter.com/MaR07IqaBV
— lightly used 1157 bulb (@kanolaoil) June 17, 2021
Rip Alex Harvill, atleast you went out doing what you love.
— Obiwankeoki (@keokiziegele) June 17, 2021
UPDATE: Grant County Coroner’s office has confirmed that Alex Harvill has passed away after crashing during a stunt this morning.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Alex’s family, friends and loved ones. https://t.co/CcSj2KH6jO— SWXRightNow (@SWXRightNow) June 17, 2021
Devastating news:
Alex Harvill, the stuntman attempting a world-record attempt at Moses Lake Airshow, died after his jump fell short, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.
Read more on @KREM2 : (Photo from Moses Lake Airshow) https://t.co/cq6sWFV7yr pic.twitter.com/UFTMRtpAI7— Morgan Trau | KREM (@MorganTrau) June 17, 2021
Hearing the news out of Washington at the Moses air show of Alex Harvill passing away after a crash on a test run makes me terribly sad. Fortunate to have rode the dunes with that man last fall. Prayers for his wife and two sons. #RIPLEGEND #alexharvill
— Galvy (@AGalvan33) June 17, 2021
Heartbreaking news, especially when one passes whiles doing something they love. Prayers go out to Alex’s family #AlexHarvill https://t.co/rRqO90XEGm
— Sarah Hewitt (@homer_lillie) June 17, 2021
RIP. Very hard to see
— Jordan Bachelor (@BachelorJordan) June 18, 2021
Harvill's tragic death comes just one month after he and wife Jessica celebrated the birth of their second child.
Jessica - who was at the air show with their children Willis, 5, and newborn Watson - said before the horrific accident that she'd gotten used to the risks her husband was taking.
"It's a little scary from time to time, but you've got to trust that he knows what he's doing," she said. "I've been around it so long its kind of just normal in a way, even though that sounds weird, because it's totally abnormal."
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