Great Mysteries and Myths of the Twentieth Century (1998)

Season 1: Episode 19

In 1966, Donald Campbell was the world's fastest man on water and on land. He was following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, Sir Malcolm Campbell, who had died many years earlier in a similar record breaking attempt. Desperately short of money in an era which pre-dated sponsorship, Donald Campbell was determined, despite personal problems and an ageing boat, to break his own record and exceed 300 mph on Coniston Water. His first run exceeded the record but he started back before his wash had time to clear. Was it an accident?