Daredevil Motorbike Rider Alex Harvill Dies During World-Record Jump. Daredevil Alex Harvill died on Thursday while attempting a new record motorcycle ramp jump, according to officials in Washington state. He was 28 years old at the time.
Who is Daredevil Alex Harvill?
Alex Harvill, of Ephrata, Washington, just held the Guinness World Record for the longest dirt-to-dirt jump. He cleared 297 feet at the Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex in West Richland, Washington, in 2013.
Daredevil Motorbike Rider Alex Harvill Dies During World-Record Jump
Mr. Harvill was attempting to jump over 106m on his motorcycle, which is roughly the length of a soccer field when the stunt went terribly wrong during a practice jump.
He didn’t make it and landed just short of the down ramp. He was rushed to the hospital but died as a result of his injuries.
The crash reportedly caused Harvill’s helmet to fly off.
It is unknown whether Harvill died at the scene of the accident, in the ambulance, or at the hospital.
According to the Grant County coroner, an autopsy will be performed Friday to determine the exact cause of death.
“Our heartfelt condolences to Alex’s family, friends, and dear ones,” Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison stated in a written statement on Thursday. Daredevil Motorbike Rider Alex Harvill Dies During World-Record Jump.
As reported by the Moses Lake Airshow, where Mr. Harvill’s attempt was scheduled for Thursday, he was wishing to break the record of a 351-foot jump.
Mr. Harvill was thrown from his motorcycle after it ran directly into the top edge of the huge dirt berm that was used as his landing ramp at Grant County International Airport, according to a video posted on social media.
“Our deepest sympathies to Alex’s family, friends, and loved ones,” Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said in a written statement on Thursday.
According to the Moses Lake Airshow, where Harvill’s attempt was planned for Thursday, he hoped to break the 351-foot jump record.
According to a video posted on social media, Mr. Harvill was thrown from his motorcycle after it collided with the top edge of the massive dirt berm that served as his landing ramp at Grant County International Airport.
They, too, issued a statement stating that Mr. Harvill died to do what he loved.
Mr. Harvill already held a Guinness World Record for a dirt-to-dirt jump of 297 feet in 2013.
“Coroner Morrison’s staff will perform an autopsy on Friday to verify the cause and manner of death,” the Grant County Sheriff’s Office said. His wife and his 2 young sons survive him.
Before learning of Harvill’s death, the Moses Lake Airshow issued the following statement on Facebook:
“We regret to report today that during the first occasion of the airshow—the Guinness World Record Jump Attempt, Alex Harvill was wounded during his warm-up before the jump and has been taken to the hospital. We do not have any additional information about the incident at this time.” Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex as well as his family, and we wish him a swift recovery. All proceeds from today’s jump will be made a donation to Alex to help with his medical bills.”
Harvill set the world record for the lengthiest dirt-to-dirt jump of 297 feet in 2013, according to Collins.
“I’ve been riding since the age of four,” Harvill told the Columbia Basin Herald last month.
“I’ve ridden dirt bikes my entire life and look up to everyone who races dirt bikes and consider those guys to be heroes.”
Harvill established the record for the longest dirt-to-dirt jump in 2013 at 297 feet.
According to TMZ, Harvill and his wife Jessica had their second child in May.
Racing world reacts to Daredevil Motorbike Rider Alex Harvill Dies During World-Record Jump
According to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Harvill died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident, and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause as well as the manner of his death.
“Our heartfelt condolences to Alex’s family, friends, and loved ones,” the Sheriff’s office said.
As homages to the young daredevil poured in on social media, fans were left heartbroken.
Jessica had previously admitted that she had grown accustomed to her husband’s dangerous occupation.
“It’s a bit scary from time to time, but you have to trust that he knows what he is doing,” she told Yahoo.
“I’ve been around it for so long that it’s almost common in a way, even though that sounds strange because it’s completely abnormal.”
Debbie Williams, a family friend, told Spokane-CBS affiliate KREM2 that the incident had heartbroken the daredevil community.
“Everyone in that area was traumatized,” she was reported to have said. “I knew there was a chance of a crash when I came out here today. I was hoping it wouldn’t [happen].”
