Shockwave Jet Truck driver, aged 40, dies while racing at 300 mph in two planes after his car explodes and bursts into flames.

  • Chris Darnell was killed when his Shockwave Jet truck burst and was engulfed by flames. 
  • Shortly after 1pm, the truck raced two planes at 300 MPH at Battle Creek Air Show in Michigan. 
  • A truck appears to have exploded in front of it, and the truck barrelled through it before setting fire.
  • Neal is his brother and pilots Flash Fire Jet Truck. He declined to speak with Daily Mail.com

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After his jet truck burst into flames, a driver died. He was racing 300 mph in his planes. 

Chris Darnell, 40, was killed during the ‘pyrotechnic’ event at the Battle Creek Air Show in Michigan shortly after 1pm on Saturday, police confirmed. 

Witnesses claim that the Shockwave truck raced two planes at 300 mph. The truck was reportedly consumed in flames, and black smoke when the driver descended from his parachute. 

‘[The driver] was doing his show and going down the runway,’  Suze Gusching, media relations for Field of Flight told the Battle Creek Enquirer. He was able to see the truck explode as he passed it. 

Scroll down to see the video  

A driver died after his Shockwave jet truck exploded after he deployed the parachute in Battle Creek, Michigan

After deploying the parachute, his Shockwave Jet truck burst into flames in Battle Creek (Michigan), a driver was killed.

The aircraft pilots flew through the smoke but appear unharmed

The aircraft pilots flew through the smoke but appear unharmed

The pilots of the planes were able to fly through smoke, but they appear unscathed 

The Shockwave jet race truck is seen at the 2018 Great New England Air and Space Show Media Day at Westover Air Force Base

Shockwave is a Shockwave Jet Race Truck that was on display at Westover Air Force Base’s 2018 Great New England Air and Space Show Media Day 

Chris Darnell (pictured) has been named as the driver who died in the jet truck explosion.

Chris Darnell (pictured), has been identified as the driver killed in the blast of the jet truck.

The truck crashed into the truck as it was being videoed. It came flying from the opposite side of the truck, but it was significantly slowing down and covered in smoke. 

Witnesses can often be heard saying “Ohh!” as they realise the crisis has escalated. The announcer then asked them to “stay back” while the emergency team assisted. 

Investigating are the Battle Creek Fire and Police Departments and Federal Aviation Administration. 

A Shockwave truck features three Pratt & Whitney J34-38 jet engines, which were originally used by the US Navy’s T2 Buckeys planes, meaning it produces 36,000 horsepower and provide 21,000 pounds of thrust 

According to Battle Creek Enquirer, the truck could reach speeds of up to 350 mph. 

Darnell Racing Enterprise also owns both the Flash Fire Jet Truck and Aftershock Jet Fire trucks.

The original date for the airshow was June 30, but it has now been postponed because of an accident. It was held at the airport largely in celebration of the Air Force’s 75th Birthday. 

The truck was racing two airplanes, which were reportedly going around 300mph

The truck raced two planes at 300 mph, according to reports.

Police confirmed the incident on its Facebook page

On its Facebook page, police confirmed that the incident occurred. 

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