Daredevil Alex Harvill died on Thursday, June 17 while practicing for a world record motorcycle ramp jump, officials in Washington state have said.
He was just 28 years old.
Harvill, who lived in Washington, was hoping to break the record of a 351-foot jump, according to the Moses Lake Airshow, where his attempt was scheduled to occur on Thursday. Before he died he posted a video on his Instagram page showing fans the challenge he was about to undertake.
The video of the practice jump at the Grant County International Airport posted to social media showed Harvill’s motorcycle running directly into the top edge of the large dirt berm being used as his landing ramp, resulting in Harvill been thrown from the bike.
He was trying to break the record set by Australia’s Robbie Maddison on March 29, 2008, according to Guinness World Records.
Harvill already owned a Guinness World Record of his own, with a 297-foot dirt-to-dirt jump in 2013.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Alex’s family, friends and loved ones,” Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said in a written statement.
“Coroner Morrison’s staff will conduct an autopsy on Friday to confirm the cause and manner of death, which is normal procedure,” the Grant County Sheriff’s Office said.
