Keith Whittle a 57 year old grandfather from Hayling Island miraculously walked away from a 130mph powerboat flip whilst trying to break a world record.
Hurtling down a speed strip on Coniston Water Lake District Keiths formula 2 powerboat Pepstar screamed across the finish line before inverting twice during a high speed crash echoing the 1967 accident that claimed the life of Donald Campbell.
The Hayling Islander spent 20 seconds submerged but only sustained bruised ribs and a very worried wife. During the week Keith broke two world records only to have them void during the final day after a technical issue.
In a mad dash for the finish the S2000 class Formula 2 boat had to have its engine rebuilt before running back buyabilifyonlinenow.com down the course at 130mph. Keith was determined to break the record and on the return leg pushed the boat to 135mph at which point it flipped.
Keith Whittle owns powerboat repair company PowerTech Marine based on Hayling and has been racing these craft since the 1970s. His son Sam and wife were understandably relieved to see Keith emerge from the upturned powerboat.
Sam said: I was the last to find out and I was in absolute bits. It was such a massive relief to find out he was okay. I ran over to him gave him a big hug and took him back to the cottage to get him warm and dry.
You can see a video of the accident by visiting http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/local/video-grandfather-s-powerboat-flips-in-132mph-crash-1-5686559
