Speedboat crash leaves Fabio Buzzi and two others dead

Fabio Buzzi and two other people have been killed after their high-powered speedboat crashed during an effort to break the offshore speed record from Monte Carlo to Venice.

The powerboat smashed into an artificial reef on 17^th September, leaving 76-year-old champion speedboat racer Buzzi dead, close to the finish line at Lido di Venezia.

A fourth person was left seriously injured from the crash.

According to Venezia Today, organisers of the Assonautica race said that the boat was travelling at around 80 knots (92 mph) when it crashed.

The boat had been racing at high speed for over 18 hours when it hit the dam known as Mose, which is made up of barriers which have been lowered to the seabed to prevent Venice from flooding during high tides and heavy rain.

An official at Venice’s port authority commented, "The boat took off and flew 30 metres through the air, landing on its stern on the other side of the causeway where the victims died on impact.” 

A 10-time powerboat world champion, Fabio Buzzi was a legend in the industry.

The two other fatalities were named as Luca Nicolini and Eric Hoorn.

Mario Invernizzi was taken to hospital with severe injuries.

Mr Buzzi founded his business FB Design, a company which specialises in building high performance powerboats, in 1971.

The boats have won 52 world championships and set 40 world speed records.

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