Third offshore powerboat racer dies in Fla. race

Saturday, November 12, 2011

MIAMI (AP) -- A third offshore powerboat racer has died after racing at the Key West World Championship.

Roderick Cox, a spokesman for Super Boat International, confirmed Saturday that Joey Gratton, of Sarasota, Fla., died at Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.

He and teammate Stephen Page, the owners and driver of Page Motorsports, rolled over during the final lap of Friday's race.

Officials said Page, of Fort Myers, Fla., was admitted to Lower Keys Medical Center in good condition. Page has since been released from the hospital.

The accident followed a crash on the first day of racing that killed Robert M. Morgan of Sunrise Beach, Mo., and Jeffrey Tillman of Kaiser, Mo. They were the throttleman and driver, respectively, for Big Thunder Marine.

A memorial for Gratton is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

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Online:

Key West World Championship: http://www.superboat.com