In honor of Russell Neeleman our late Twangled team rider, friend & neighbor, we have posted an old Great Lakes Watercross download from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin from back in 06′ featuring Russ airing out some massive ball-busters & superman kick outs during an Amateur freestyle competition – HE WON.
Greg Brock called me last night with horrible news from camp Twangled. While riding his orange & black 2004 freestyle built Super Jet on Lake Marie in Antioch, Illinois around 6:30 Sunday evening, Russell Neeleman was struck by a powerboat. Russ suffered blunt head trama and severe injuries to his leg and arm. Neeleman was taken to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry where he was later pronounced dead.
Having known Russ for more than 5 years now, I realize that we lost a great member of our community. Russ was an honest, hard-working young man that greatly enjoyed freestyle jet skiing and motocross. He was a local roll-model for neighborhood kids & always willing to help out. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and long-time girlfriend.
This happened where we all — and I do mean all — have been riding for years. A little nook tucked away off the beaten path of the major traffic flow of a very busy system of lakes. The freestyle spot was thought to be a safe haven of sorts from swiftly moving vessels as it is shallow and surrounded on 3 sides by land and no wake areas.
The offending boat was a yellow 24-foot Azure, driven by a 70-year-old man from Skokie, Illinois. Alcohol did not play a part in the accident. Charges have not been filed as of Monday night. The investigation remains underway as officials work to reenact the accident.
ABC News Video Coverage Boat Safety – ABC News 7
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