KDKA's Dave Crawley Sues Regatta Over River Stunt Injuries

PITTSBURGH, PA - KDKA-TV reporter Dave Crawley has filed a lawsuit over injuries he contends he suffered after plunging 22 feet into the Allegheny River in a homemade flying machine in 2017. Crawley sued the EQT Three Rivers Regatta, Red Bull and M&C Saatchi, a marketing firm.

KDKA is not a defendant in the lawsuit, which contends Crawley was injured when he participated in a media event that was to air a day before the Red Bull Flugtag - an event in which teams design
homemade devices in which to fly off of a pier into a river.

Crawley wore a life vest and helmet, but the lawsuit contends he landed on his face and front was injured his spleen and diaphragm. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury, the lawsuit alleges.

Crawley, who was 70 at the time, stopped working a few weeks after the incident after collapsing while covering a story.

The regatta did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement, Red Bull said the company has a long history of hosting major public events and that the safety of spectators and participants is always its primary concern.