Mike Granby wrote:

Looks like he pitched up for his soft-field takeoff, and lost
directional control (through too much right rudder?) perhaps because he
lost his sight picture over the raised nose. He then ended up heading
towards the guys you see diving out of the way, so he had a choice
between staying low and taking their heads off with the prop, or
climbing over them and getting out of ground effect, after which he was
pretty much doomed.

I agree. Also, it seemed to me that the minute he lost directional
control, the option of pulling power back to idle and aborting the takeoff
would have resulted in a bent aircraft.

--
Peter