Joey Gratton of University Park, Fla., has died in the Key West Super Boat World Championship, according to the Miami Herald.
He and his partner, fellow powerboat racer Stephen Page, were injured yesterday after their 38-foot boat overturned during the 6.5-mile course race, the Florida Keys News Bureau said. Page was able to swim out of the overturned boat by himself, but paramedics had to pull Gratton out.
Gratton was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson in critical condition, while Page was taken to the Lower Keys Medical Center.
A memorial service was scheduled for the fallen racer at noon today at the race pits of the Truman Waterfront. Page has since been released from the hospital.
Gratton is the third powerboat racer to die since the championship's inception on Wednesday, following Big Thunder Marine owner Bob Morgan and driver Jeffrey Tillman.
Race director John Carbonell of Super Boat International Productions, said Sunday's final race will go on as scheduled.
