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Posted: 2020-02-23T14:24:10Z | Updated: 2020-02-23T14:24:25Z

BARSTOW, Calif. (AP) A self-styled daredevil died Saturday after a rocket in which he launched himself crashed into the ground, a colleague and a witness said.

Mad Mike Hughes died after the homemade rocket crashed on private property near Barstow about 1:52 p.m. near Highway 247, the Daily Press of Victorville reported.

Waldo Stakes, a colleague who was at the rocket launch, said Hughes, 64, was killed.

It was unsuccessful, and he passed away, Stakes told The Associated Press. He declined further comment.

Justin Chapman, a freelance journalist, told the AP that he and his wife witnessed the crash.

The rocket appeared to rub against the launch apparatus, which might have torn the parachutes attached to it, Chapman said.

The rocket came straight down into the ground, Chapman said.

According to a San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department statement, deputies were called to the event.

A man was pronounced deceased after the rocket crashed in the open desert during a rocket launch event, the statement said. The sheriffs department did not identify the person who died.

The crash occurred during filming for a future series on the Science Channel called Homemade Astronauts. Hughes launch was to be one of three featured on the new show, which follows three self-financed rocket-building teams.

Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends during this difficult time, the Science Channel tweeted. It was always his dream to do this launch & Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey.

Michael 'Mad Mike' Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his homemade rocket. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends during this difficult time. It was always his dream to do this launch & Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey pic.twitter.com/GxwjpVf2md

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Michael 'Mad Mike' Hughes tragically passed away today during an attempt to launch his homemade rocket. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family & friends during this difficult time. It was always his dream to do this launch & Science Channel was there to chronicle his journey pic.twitter.com/GxwjpVf2md

Science Channel (@ScienceChannel) February 23, 2020

In March 2018, Hughes, who believed the Earth is flat, propelled himself about 1,875 feet into the air before a hard landing in the Mojave Desert.

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My story really is incredible, Hughes told the AP at the time. Its got a bunch of story lines the garage-built thing. Im an older guy. Its out in the middle of nowhere, plus the Flat Earth. The problem is it brings out all the nuts also, people questioning everything. Its the downside of all this.

HuffPosts Hayley Miller contributed reporting.

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