My name is Darryl I was the operator of the private boat in the crash between ST Johns boat and myself on July 21 2008, I was just charged with violation of navigation rules and failure to transfer title or registration today on this 9Th day of march 2009, As I was pulling into the sheriff's office I saw Rick pulling out, the operator of the St johns boat, I ask the clerk what he was charged with, she would not tell me but did say it was something to do with the air boat accident. I have known Rick all my life, He was my next door neighbor when we grew up, He is a good man and friend, Well he still is to me , I don't know what he thanks about me, but I do know this hole thing sucks. I had a broken back, broken pelvis, head injuries, permanent nerve damage, Jimmy is even worse. I don't know what the outcome is going to be, but what ever happens I don't want to lose Rick's friendship. I know we are going to have our side of the story and they are going to have there's. What happens from there will be in the courts hands. Only thing I'm going to say about the case is they where trying to beat a storm in, and we where heading out to help my friend get his sunk boat. As far as comments about me from Dave H. about me going out in his old deckedover boat every single day sense the day I bought it are true, I never missed a day, and I never changed the oil in the gearbox that's true also, but I did change the engine oil every three months but as far as not working that's not true I owned my own company called Custom Solid Surface inc. I went out every day after work and every weekend rain or shine. Even before I purchased Dave's boat I had that big diamondback air boat, And I was out in the swamp every day with that boat as well. I loved our swamp more then you will ever know, and now I am scared to death of it, I never bought Dave's boat for racing I bought it because I new it had the horse power and reliability to get me to my hunting spots wet or dry. I made it clear from the day I bought it I did not buy it for racing because i did not want to hurt any one or get hurt myself. And also gas was $2.50 a gallon, but I had to run race fuel, that cost allot more. Luckily business was doing good at the time. Back to the wreck, Jimmy got hurt in my boat and so did Troy, both are friends of mine, It was a blind corner but that does not change the fact that somebody got hurt in my boat, I feel responsible for anybody that rides in my boat, no matter who's fault it was, and I have to live with that the rest of my life, I have nightmares every night about that day, I will never forget it. I have met allot of good people out there in the swamp, you guy's are quick to help others in need, and I would do the same for you. Maybe we can get some signs out there in them dangerous corners to let people know there might be another air boater coming the other way and hopefully it will keep us all safe. Be careful out there guy's and hopefully I will see you guy's out there again. Thanks sincerely Darryl.
Airboat accident July 2008
- Thread starter darr
- Start date
Rich Andrews
Well-known member
Could happen to anyone anytime. Hope everyone involved heals and moves on.
Seems to be a lot of info here unrelated to the accident. Sure would hate to see this turn into a he said she said type thing. I double checked and the Rick mentioned is NOT our Rick Caroll. Others mentioned by name can PM or call me if they don't want their name mentioned.
Scotty
Scotty
The reason for the extra info is to show that I have a lot of experience out in the swamp, I knew every turn, airboat trail etc, I have been out there since I was a little kid, I grew up here in Melbourne all my life, and practically lived in the swamp. And as far as the comments about Dave H. people did not believe the Waterthunder engine on my boat had that many hours on it. I was just stating the truth that the engine did have that many hours on it and then some.
Whitebear said:
Thanks for the explanation Darr. Some of us don't have a clue about Daves engine or the question of hours on it. We try to keep anything disputed in private or at least low key, as possible. But as things go, that generally don't last long and it gets wild sometimes.
I probably have met you too, I started on the marsh in around '73 or 4. Probably at least know a lot of the same folks. most of my time is in blocks with a lot of the in between times spent overseas. Today we have internet near everywhere overseas but thats a recent developement. Grinn.
Thanks for the update
Scotty
I probably have met you too, I started on the marsh in around '73 or 4. Probably at least know a lot of the same folks. most of my time is in blocks with a lot of the in between times spent overseas. Today we have internet near everywhere overseas but thats a recent developement. Grinn.
Thanks for the update
Scotty
Thanks a lot my friend, hope to see you in the swamp agian soon.
Whitebear said:Thanks for the explanation Darr. Some of us don't have a clue about Daves engine or the question of hours on it. We try to keep anything disputed in private or at least low key, as possible. But as things go, that generally don't last long and it gets wild sometimes.
I probably have met you too, I started on the marsh in around '73 or 4. Probably at least know a lot of the same folks. most of my time is in blocks with a lot of the in between times spent overseas. Today we have internet near everywhere overseas but thats a recent developement. Grinn.
Thanks for the update
Scotty
NightRider
Well-known member
Exactly what Rich said.....It could of have to happened to anyone, I hope you can put this beind you as soon as possible. Look forward to meeting you out there one day. Sam
Rich Andrews
Well-known member
poof
Waterthunder
Well-known member
Sorry!
MYDIXIEWRECKED
Well-known member
Hey Dave, Me and Rich a friends. He's got that "Felber 397" so he's just jealous he ain't got as many cheerleaders on his team! :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: It's all good he's on the DARKSIDE! 8)
Rich Andrews
Well-known member
Just had a BEER with WT! He finished quicker then me :mrgreen:
Waterthunder
Well-known member
Time to turn off the phone and have a bunch of beer! Darrell I hope you have a good lawyer!
Waterthunder
Well-known member
I grew up out there and I was the only one who walked away from a wreck when I was 12. Three people died that day I managed to survive somehow, all three families were tight, hell I knew most of them since kind garden. It was nobodies fault just plain bad luck. I learned at an early age money can make anybody evil I saw life long friends suing each other and if they lost then the moved on to the next family. Lawsuits are evil and fraudulent suers have no compassion, character or dignity. I think seeing what the lawyers and family members did messed me up more then watching my friends die! I’m just saying protect yourself the best you can! I believe you did nothing wrong and accidents happen that is why their called accidents just be careful I don’t want to see go thru what I did 26 years ago! This is weird I just took somebody else’s comment wrong and now I think you took mine wrong. You know how I stand 100% Darrell nothing meant at all just a friend telling you to be careful that's all!