Team Twangled Rider Kyle Burtka had a close call in the chilly waters of Lake Michigan last Sunday at the Chicago Air and Water Show. While piloting his custom made jet ski in front of millions of fans Kyle’s ski suffered a hood and bilge pump failure causing the boat to sink to the sandy bottom off North Avenue Beach.
Kyle Burtka, younger brother of Gary Burtka Team Twangled captain found himself literally over his head as he struggled to keep his jet ski afloat. “It’s what you do for the show” stated Kyle in an interview with ABC channel 7 Chicago. Kyle is the youngest of the Team Twangled Jet Ski Stunt Show team. The team takes part in one of the largest shows of it’s kind hosting over one million spectators a day for three days. In order to keep those big crowds happy you have to go big. Using two Large Cabin cruisers to create the largest double up wave in the business. Riders go as big as they canto thrill the fans. That is exactly what Kyle Burtka was doing when things went bad. He under rotated a barrel roll and popped his hood. The impact also jarred loose his bilge pump wiring and the ski sank in moments. Kyle first instinct was to save the ski but in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan
things quickly got out of hand pulling him under time and time again in the rough seas.The good news is that because Team Twangled riders are professionals no one panicked. Cool heads prevailed. Mike Nicsik was first on the seen and pulled Kyle from his boat by grabbing his vest. Mike held him above the water until help could arrive from the Chicago rescue squads. By this time team twangled team mates were also on hand. Kyle was hoisted from the water and rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was treated for hypothermia and the effects of taking in so much water.He was later released and returned to the show. He was happy to find out that Chicago Park district divers had tied a buoy to the ski and were able to recover the craft after the air show was over. Thanks to his brother Gary’s hard work the ski is up and running fine. Kyle how ever will need a few days of rest. Water show promoter Dave Larson said “he was proud of the way the team acted under pressure. We have great insurance so Kyle really did not have to worry about the saving the ski. We always make sure our performers know to keep the public’s safety in mind first while keeping an eye on their fellow riders. That is exactly what happened on Sunday and that is why no one was seriously hurt. We thank the City of Chicago and all of it’s personnel for their outstanding work. We will see you again next year.
Check out the ABC Chicago Channel 7 segment Man nearly drowns during Air and Water Show
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