Mythbusters star Jessi Combs dies while attempting to break speed record

Former Mythbusters presenter Jessi Combs has died in an accident in the US.

Combs crashed in a jet car while trying to beat the 824km/h record for land speed in the Alvord Desert in the state of Oregon yesterday. She was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday afternoon, reports People. The cause of the crash is not known. Local police are investigating. Combs's family confirmed the news of her death in a statement last night.

“Jessi’s most notable dream was to become the fastest woman on Earth, a dream she had been chasing since 2012,” it read. “Combs was one of the rare dreamers with the bravery to turn those possibilities into reality, and she left this earth driving faster than any other woman in history.”

Contrasting US news outlets have reported her age as 36 and 39. Combs shared an image of the jet car to Instagram earlier this week, writing; "It may seem a little crazy to walk directly into the line of fire... those who are willing, are those who achieve great things. "People say I’m crazy. I say thank you." Combs was a co-host on Discovery Channel show Mythbusters from 2009 to 2010.