Teen loses life in “freak accident”.

[view:node_ad=5]On Sunday, 15 year-old West Ranch High School sophomore Taylor LaKamp was spending his holiday weekend riding his new motorcycle near California City.  LaKamp had just gotten a 2004 Honda 450 from his older brother Grady, and was off to spend the weekend riding around.

 Leading up to the accident, LaKamp was riding with a teen he had met that morning.  At around 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, the teens jumped a dirt berm, coming from opposite directions.  Officials said that while in the air, LaKamp collided with the other teen, his chest hitting the other teen’s front tire.

Kern County Sheriff's Department said LaKamp was taken to Kern Medical Center by air ambulance, where he died about an hour later due to massive lung compression and heart damage.  The other teen suffered from minor injuries.

 

Officials have reported that both teens were wearing helmets and safety gear.  

Kimberlei Comrie, who also attends West Ranch High School and has known LaKamp since last semester, said that she didn’t know how to react to the news.  “Everyone just couldn’t believe it.  We didn’t think it was real, and once it hit us, we all just started crying.  He was always so nice and caring to everyone.”  West Ranch High School held a moment of silence in LaKamp’s memory.

The accident is still under investigation.