Poole's mother remembers him as a young man who quit his job as an engineer to do what he felt passionate about:
"He'd say that this was his life, and this was what he had chosen to do," Phyllis Erck said late Tuesday. "Of course I was terrified . . . but I respected his choice. I know he died doing what he loved."Poole was performing a jump in Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. The jump was supposed to be part of a Warren Miller Entertainment film.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 16)
1. It's too bad. But after watching that video, can anyone really be surprised that this guy died?
Posted at 7:40PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by bet the super bowl
2. I knew Billy in High school. He was a great friend with a big heart. He will be missed by all us in MA.
Posted at 8:29PM on Jan 23rd 2008 by Katie
3. unfortunately the human body is not titanium
Posted at 8:00PM on Jan 24th 2008 by bullhorn
4. WHAT AN IDIOT !!
Posted at 8:05PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Dee
5. amazing what people will do for a paycheck
Posted at 8:13PM on Jan 24th 2008 by gerald surma
6. Freaking morons. They are the most idiotic jerks on Earth. Risking life for nothing. Well, you got what you deserve ahole.
Posted at 8:14PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Patrick
7. big heart...mini brain
Posted at 8:14PM on Jan 24th 2008 by jtsr
8. Can you spell IDIOT? He may have had a "big heart", but his brain wasn't even close. God, if you want to kill yourself there are easier ways. Moron.
Posted at 8:14PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Yikes-A-Hooty
9. Does God not make babies with enough brains and common sense to last them thru life? Apparently, after having seen this, He doesn't.....
Posted at 8:21PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Mike
10. Very sad, indeed. Younger people need to understand there are limits to what you can and cannot do. Unfortunately, it usually kicks in when you are around 30, and find someone as a life partner and/or have your own children.
Posted at 8:21PM on Jan 24th 2008 by tess
11. no one called the explorer that died from the sting ray an idiot when he was teaching his newborn how to play with crocodiles...like his career choice was oh so safe.
Posted at 8:22PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Jax
12. its sad that he died, but everyone dies at some point. at least he had the courage to really live.
Posted at 8:24PM on Jan 24th 2008 by nightcrawler
13. What a waste of a truly gifted athlete~!
Posted at 8:24PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Cathy
14. R.I.P TO ALL WHOM PASS TO SOON FROM THIS LIFE TO THE NEXT.
Posted at 8:25PM on Jan 24th 2008 by JIM ROBINSON
15. Subtract another risk taker from the gene pool.
Posted at 8:27PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Ichabod
16. Have a little compassion, people. It's easy to sit at your computer and judge someone else's decisions and actions. At least this guy was living and defining life on his own terms. Good for him...and shame on you for passing judgment instead of offering sympathy and condolences to those who really knew & loved him and could appreciate the life he chose to live and the risks he chose to take.
Posted at 8:30PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Mindy
17. The guy was just doing what he felt passionate about. Its a shame there aren't more people like him in the world.
Posted at 8:32PM on Jan 24th 2008 by whodey28jp
18. He gets my vote for the Darwin Award, either for falling asleep in his physics class, or not having enough friends to tell him how stupid this stunt would be. And guess what? No do overs! I invite all you dumba#### who think this bozo is some kind of athlete or hero for dying doing what he loved, to do the same thing. The earth is already too crowded.
Posted at 8:33PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Garnett Arnold
19. who do you think you are calling him an idiot?
is it just because you guys will never do anything with your life?
sure, he died, it wasnt the smartest way to make a living..but he had fun, he loved what he did.
do you think policemen, firefighters and military personnel are idiots because they can die from what they do? no.
shut up and do something with your life.
Posted at 8:33PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Josh
20. EXTREME BRAIN BENDER (MIND GAME): INVINCIBLE and a SUBCONSCIOUS DEATH WISH!
Posted at 8:34PM on Jan 24th 2008 by Cire