- Jesse Hamric, 18, was at a Fourth of July gathering with family and friends.
- He was found in trouble in a lake and when his friends jumped in they were shocked.
- Hamric was pulled from the water but eventually died at a local hospital.
A Colorado teenager has died after jumping into what may have been an electrified lake in Virginia and drowning.
Jesse Hamric, 18, was at a Fourth of July gathering with family and friends at Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston at a private home with a dock.
Two of Hamric’s friends saw him in trouble in the lake and tried to jump in, only to feel an electric shock.
Hamric was eventually pulled from the water and given CPR, but he died at a local hospital later Thursday.
According to local police, Hamric and the two friends are believed to have been electrocuted. Water can turn into electricity when faulty wiring on boats or docks releases energy into the lake.
Jesse Hamric, 18, was at a July 4 gathering with family and friends at Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston, at a private home with a dock. Two of Hamric’s friends saw he was in trouble at the lake and tried to jump out, but felt an electric shock.
Hamric was eventually pulled from the water and given CPR, but he died at a local hospital later Thursday.
Medical examiners are still conducting an autopsy and there was a boat lift near the crash site that may have malfunctioned and also caused Hamric’s death.
However, the water was tested and electricity was found, leading investigators to believe the cause was stray voltage coming from a private dock. World Victim reported.
Hamric was an athlete at Steamboat Springs High School in Colorado, where Hamric’s father, Jay, is the principal, according to Steamboat pilotHer mother is also an elementary school teacher in the city.
Friends are sad and already missing a beloved member of their community.
“Ever since I met that kid, I mean, he’s one of a kind,” said his friend Alex Schwab. KDVR.
“You see him and you realize that he always has a smile on his face.”
Hamric had graduated from school just a month ago, where he was a varsity athlete in baseball and football.
Steamboat Springs held a prayer vigil for Hamric on Friday at the local Catholic church.
According to local police, Hamric and the two friends are believed to have been electrocuted. Water can turn into electricity when faulty wiring on boats or docks releases energy into the lake.
Medical examiners are still conducting an autopsy and a boat lift was near the scene of the accident, which may have malfunctioned and also caused Hamric’s death.
“I still can’t process it. I’m very upset about this,” Schwab added.
The school posted a statement on its website to offer condolences following Hamric’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of a recent Steamboat Springs High School graduate,” they write.
They added that mental health counselors and crisis response professionals will be available to the community.
‘Please take a moment to take care of yourself, seek support from those around you and look out for each other. Our thoughts are with you all.’
The two friends who attempted to rescue Hamric were treated for their injuries at the scene and released.
