PITTSBURGH — The pilot who crashed into the water and suffered injuries during the Red Bull Flugtag at the annual Three Rivers Regatta Saturday told Channel 11 he is doing okay.
Walt Czekaj said the idea to ride a skateboard 16 feet long and four feet wide came from the movie Back to the Future. But the moment it left the platform, Czekaj was airborne.
“I remember about five feet away thinking, ‘I’m in trouble and this is going to hurt,’” Czekaj said. “The next thing I knew river rescue was there.”
Czekaj received 14 stitches in his leg, four stitches in his hand, some facial scratches and bruised ribs.
He fell from the 22-foot platform directly into the water in front of the skateboard.
ORIGINAL STORY:
One person was hurt during the Red Bull Flugtag at the annual Three Rivers Regatta. Channel 11 was told the person is expected to be OK.
Red Bull representatives issued the following statement:
"Today at Red Bull Flugtag in Pittsburgh the pilot for the Back to the Future team sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for evaluation and the best medical care. This is an unfortunate accident, and we wish the pilot a quick and healthy recovery."
The final team rankings for the Red Bull Flugtag were:
1. Flight at the Roxbury
2. Survivor Tractor
3. Left Field Loonies
___________________
One of the biggest events of the summer is underway on the North Shore. The EQT Three Rivers Regatta began Friday.
Regatta officials have stayed in touch with Severe Weather Team 11 for storm tracker updates and dialed back Friday's activities because of heavy wind and rain.
Events resumed around 4 p.m. at Point State Park after everything was shut down for about an hour.
The severe weather sent spectators and race boat drivers scrambling.
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Heavy wind and rain forced a suspension of activities in the 3 Rivers Regatta.
Organizers say they were concerned about high winds with so many tents and other equipment set up for the festival.
Once those storms had passed, crews quickly got their powerboats back into the water after being forced out by the dangerous conditions.
“They actually had another 12-lap heat to run, but the storm came in and blew them out,” said Jimmie Merleau, a driver with Merleau Racing.
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He said his team lost about an hour of practice and testing because of the delay.
“It’s more or less lightning, they’re all carbon boats and it’s a very good electricity conductor, and it’s just very dangerous to be out there," Merleau said.
There were also hot air balloon rides scheduled, but those were canceled and will resume on Sunday.