An 18-year-old From Colorado Died When He Jumped Into an Electric Lake While on Vacation in Virginia Report
A teen from Colorado who was in Virginia with friends for Independence Day died when he jumped into an electric lake.
Police say 18-year-old Jesse Hamric jumped into Smith Mountain Lake near Roanoke on Thursday morning while visiting friends in Virginia with his family. This was reported by the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office.
His friends knew something was wrong after Hamric got into the water. Two people jumped into the lake to help him and said they felt electricity in the water right away. Deputies later found that the electricity was coming from a dock at a nearby house. WDBJ said that firefighters also checked the water and found power in it.
The friends were able to pull Hamric out of the water and do CPR until emergency workers came around 4 a.m., according to deputies. The friends were only slightly hurt.
Deputies told Steamboat Pilot & Today that Hamric was taken to the hospital and declared dead there. His death is being looked into as an accident.
WDBJ was told about the problem by Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire/Rescue Assistant Chief Ray Talley. The homeowner of the house where the power was coming from has been told about it and must work with an electrician to fix the voltage problem.
According to the Steamboat Pilot & Today, Hamric played football and baseball for Steamboat Springs High School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He had just finished.
People set up a GoFundMe page to help the family and raise money for the “Jesse Cyrus Hamric Foundation for Courage and Love.” More than $72,000 has been raised so far as of early Monday morning.
The fundraiser said, “Please help us help the loved Hamric family.” “They really care about our community and make life better in Steamboat Springs by everything they do and how they act!” Jesse was a much-loved friend who brought joy and happiness wherever he went. We will miss him every day.