Mon, Jan 28, 2008
Details Sketchy On Incident At Jumbolair
Speeding down the runway at a private Florida airport community
had tragic consequences for the five people inside a BMW, after the
car ran off an embankment and flew 200 feet before impacting a
tree.
The accident occurred early Saturday at Greystone
Airport/Jumbolair Aviation Estates (FL17) near Ocala, reports to
The Associated Press. All five men inside the car were killed,
according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
It was not immediately known whether the 2008 BMW may have been
racing a second automobile on the exclusive community's 7,550'
runway (shown above). Residents say the vehicle may have gained
access to the runway through an unlocked back gate.
The automobile apparently ran off the 85-foot-high embankment at
the end of the runway. The car split in two when it hit the tree,
ejecting three of the occupants.
"Portions of the vehicle were actually embedded into the oak
tree," FHP Lieutenant Mike Burroughs told The Orlando Sentinel.
"They were airborne the entire time.
"It's too early in the investigation to determine a speed and
also to determine whether seat belts were in use at the time of the
crash," Burroughs said, adding "There was no visible signs" that
alcohol was involved.
The FHP identified the victims Sunday as driver Joshua D.
Ammirato, 18; James Devon Hime, 19; Isaac Rubin, 20; Jacob J.
Casey, 19; and Dustin J. Dawe, who had just celebrated his 19th
birthday on Friday.
Jumbolair is arguably best-known for one of its residents, actor
John Travolta, who also keeps his private Boeing 707 at the
airport.
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