Canadian Poker Player Dies in Plane Crash

A 54-year-old poker player from Canada, Norman Overdijk, was killed Saturday when his ultralight airplane did not ascend on takeoff and rammed into his neighbor's barn.

A 26-year-old passenger sustained injuries in the crash and was rushed to the hospital. The Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the accident.

Overdijk's neighbors in Middle River were used to seeing him piloting his aircraft in the area, and several stated that he had crashed the plane previously. But his zest for life prompted him to get back in the cockpit, where Overdijk unfortunately met his demise.

The Hendon Mob lists Overdijk's lifetime cashes at 17, all but one occurring in Canada. His career earnings totaled $121,952, punctuated by a 5th place finish at the British Columbia Poker Championships in 2011 that was good for $23,854.

Overdijk never made it to the winner's circle, finishing as high as 3rd place on three occasions. But he was named the Canadian Poker Tour Player of the Year in 2011.

Overdijk cashed at a WPT event in 2013, earning 35th place prize money of $16,011 at the Playground Poker Fall Classic in Kahnawake after buying in for $3,850. His most recent in the money finish came last month at the PEI Poker Challenge in Charlottetown when he landed in 10th place in a C$330 NLHE event and won C$2,200 ($1,790).

“He played poker the way he died - rough and ready," said Stewart MacLeod, a fellow poker player from Canada.

In addition to playing poker and piloting his plane, Overdijk was said to enjoy skydiving and riding a Harley Davidson. He apparently had previous ties to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.