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Daredevil dies while attempting world-record motorcycle jump

MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 8, 2020: A rider prepares for a race on a Gallax Club motorcycle circuit during the Chkalov All-Russian Motocross Championship in the village of Borodino. Sergei Bobylev/TASS (Photo by Sergei Bobylev\TASS via Getty Images)
Alex Harvill reportedly landed short of his landing ramp. (Photo by Sergei Bobylev\TASS via Getty Images) (Sergei Bobylev via Getty Images)

An attempt at setting a world record for longest ramp-to-dirt motorcycle jump has reportedly ended in tragedy.

Stuntman Alex Harvill, 28 years old, died Thursday while preparing for a 351-foot motorcycle jump at the Moses Lake Airshow in Washington state's Grant County International Airport, according to the Columbia Basin Herald's Charles Featherstone.

The deadly crash reportedly occurred when Harvill landed short of the downward slope of the landing ramp on a practice run. While the bike stopped when it hit the ground, Harvill flew over the handlebars and another 20 feet before landing. His helmet reportedly flew off during the crash.

On-site medical personnel and Harvill's family reportedly responded quickly, but it took a while to get him in an ambulance:

It remains unclear if Harvill died at the site of the crash, in the ambulance or at the hospital. An autopsy will reportedly be performed on Harvill to determine an exact cause of death.

Per KREM's Kelly Collins, Harvill previously set a world record for longest dirt-to-dirt motorcycle jump with a 297-foot attempt at Horn Rapids Motorsports Complex in Richland, Washington in 2013. The jump Harvill was attempting Thursday was equivalent to the full goal post-to-goal post length of a football field.

The Moses Lake Airshow posted an update before news of Harvill's death, announcing a crash had occurred and pledging all proceeds of the jump to his medical expenses:

Harvill is reportedly survived by his wife, Jessica, and children Willis, 5 years old, and Watson, a newborn.

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