A powerboat racer has shared the reality of her action-packed career, ranging from featuring in a James Bond movie to being resuscitated three times after a near-fatal crash.
Sarah Donohue, a registered HSE diver and marine stunts specialist, started her career as an offshore powerboat racer in 1993, before going on to test extreme sports for TV shows.
Trying her hand at every stunt possible, she has jumped out of planes, dived from cliffs and even raced lawnmowers, featuring in several films and TV shows in the process.
Although she loves her career it is not for the weak-hearted, with Sarah suffering several injuries and almost losing her life.
“Stunts are as safe as they can be because everyone is an expert at what they do and they are there to make sure they get the shot and that the stunt person is safe” the 52-year-old, from London, told NeedToKnow.co.uk.
“Everything is calculated and nothing is left to chance.
“These aren’t pleasure boats whereby anyone can jump in.
“They are totally different and if abused can be life-changing and not for the better.
“I had a powerboat accident racing in Italy and ended up on life-support.
“I fractured my skull, had titanium plates in my face, my face to this date is still numb in the bottom right hadn’t quadrant.
“I broke several ribs, dislocated my shoulder, broke my other shoulder and collarbone and had a compound fracture to the right wrist.
“I also lost several teeth, however, I didn’t break a nail.
“But I did drown, my heart stopped and I was resuscitated three times and airlifted to Venice hospital.
“They called my parents to say that I may not make it through the night and my mum flew out within hours and my dad stayed at home with my brothers.”
Despite the severity of her injuries, she has never let the danger stop her, leading to some incredible opportunities.
She said: “I’m an HSE [health and safety executive] qualified diver, with only 3% of commercial divers being women worldwide.
“I specialize in marine stunts of all kinds, meaning I have a commercial license so can work in film and TV legally and am called in whenever anything is needed for precision driving on water.
“While I have driven boats through explosions doubling as actresses, it isn’t always about being in front of the camera.
“I’ve worked on several shows making sure that safety is paramount, such as when Jack Osbourne filmed his ITV 2 show ‘Adrenaline Junkie’ in Dubai.
“My very first film was The Prince and the Pauper with Oliver Reed as a child actress.
“I have done commercials doubling Pamela Anderson for a beer commercial.
“I featured in the 007 movie The World is Not Enough.
“I did the opening boat chase sequence down the Thames, just a five-minute bike ride from my flat in Soho.
“Out of all the locations 007 is famous for, I got somewhere near my flat!”
Starting her career as a model, featuring in Marks and Spencer’s campaigns and regularly appearing on This Morning, she jumped to watersports like a duck to water.
She said: “I started racing in 1993 and I can’t say it was easy because racing powerboats, especially small boats, in rough seas is about as painful as it gets.
“It’s like going 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.
“But I loved it!
“I was so much smaller than the male racers so my body really took a beating in rough water.”
One of few females within the field, Sarah never found herself held back by her gender and wants to encourage young women to take up the sport.
She said: “It isn’t always easy.
“With commercial diving, our equipment can be super heavy – we can be loaded up with so much gear and until we are in water even walking is tough.
“But I have always been assisted without even having to ask.
“It’s not patronising to be helped by a man who essentially is stronger.
“They are keeping me safe and free from injury.
“It makes me love what I do and makes me know I am always in professional hands.
“The men in my chosen careers have been the most amazing and supportive people I could have wished for.
“I haven’t in 30 years felt any animosity or sexism from anyone and in offshore powerboat racing which is virtually 99.9% male it is certainly a testimony to the British Powerboat Racing Club and others around the world.
“For those women reading this, if you want to try a different career but you see it as male-dominated, my advice is to ‘go for it’.
“You will be amazed at the reaction and the reward of accomplishment and the new friends you make.
“I wouldn’t swap my world for anyone.
“Be a leader and role model for other females.”
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