An 18-year-old Colorado teen, Jesse Hamric, tragically died after diving into an electrified lake during Fourth of July celebrations. The incident occurred at Smith Mountain Lake outside Roanoke, Virginia.
Friends’ heroic efforts
Jesse Hamric’s friends quickly realized something was wrong as soon as he entered the water. They immediately jumped in after him, only to feel themselves getting shocked. Despite sustaining injuries, they managed to pull Hamric out of the water. One friend called for help while another performed CPR on Hamric.
Hamric was rushed to a hospital by a rescue crew but later succumbed to his injuries. Two of his friends suffered minor injuries in the incident.
Cause of the accident
Fire crews investigated and confirmed that electrical currents were present in the water, caused by stray voltage from a dock at a nearby private residence. According to ABC13, no foul play is suspected in Hamric’s death.
Who was Jesse Hamric?
Jesse Hamric, a native of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, was visiting friends with his family at the time of the incident. A recent graduate of Steamboat Springs High School, Hamric excelled in football and baseball. He had just graduated in May.
“Ever since I first met that kid, I mean, he’s like one of a kind,” said Alex Schwab, Jesse Hamric’s friend, to KDVR. “You see him and you just, like, he always has a smile on his face.” Schwab added, “Still can’t even process it. I’m so upset by it.”
Hamric was the son of Jay Hamric, the principal of Steamboat Springs High School. The school released a statement expressing their sorrow: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of a recent Steamboat Springs High School graduate. Please take a moment to care for yourself, lean into those around you for support, and care for each other. Our thoughts are with all of you.”
Community support and remembrance
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the Hamric family and to establish the “Jesse Cyrus Hamric Foundation for Courage and Love.” The page reads, “Jesse was a dearly loved friend, bringing light and positivity everywhere he went, and he will be missed every day.”