An American daredevil has tragically died after a horror crash as he attempted to set a world record.
Alex Harvill, 28, was trying to jump more than 107m on his motorcycle at the Moses Lake Airshow in Washington but the stunt ended in terrifying fashion when he landed in a giant dirt mound at high speed.
He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries, authorities confirmed.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to Alex's family, friends and loved ones," the Grant County Sheriff's Office said.
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Advertise with NZME.An autopsy will be carried out by the coroner to determine the exact cause of death.
The Columbia Basin Herald reports Harvill landed short on his first practice jump and flew over the handlebars as his helmet came off. Medics rushed to his aid and he was taken to hospital, but could not be saved.
A veteran stuntman, Harvill had previously set the world record for longest dirt-to-dirt jump when his motorcycle carried him 90m at Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex in Washington in 2013.
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The world record today is held by Robbie Maddison, who has successfully completed a 106.98m dirt-to-dirt jump.
Before the tragic accident, Harvill had spoken of his excitement at competing at the Moses Lake Airshow.
"I can't believe what the airshow is doing. They have organised so many people and businesses to support me," he said.
Harvill grew up with bikes from an early age and spent much of his youth at Moses Lake, where his love of two-wheelers blossomed.
"I've loved motorcycles my entire life and all this has started from racing dirt bikes," he said in an interview posted on the Moses Lake Airshow Facebook page just a few weeks ago.
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Advertise with NZME."Moses Lake sand dunes was a place I went quite a bit, especially in the winter when there was nowhere else to ride. The sand is really good.
"That really started my jumping, was out at the Moses Lake sand dunes so it's amazing to be able to have an event there that I can jump at.
"It all started with a love of dirt bikes and me pursuing the dream of knowing what I can do jumping and the love of jumping that's come from dirt bikes.
"For me it just goes hand-in-hand, jumping as far as you can and racing and being as good as you can."
Harvill's death comes a month after he welcomed his second baby, a boy named Watson, into the world with wife Jessica.
Before the accident, Jessica said she had become accustomed to the risks associated with her husband's career, but still found it frightening.
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Advertise with NZME."It's a little scary from time to time, but you've gotta trust that he knows what he's doing," she said.
"I've been around it so long it's kind of just normal in a way even though that sounds weird because it's totally abnormal."
