18-year-old dies of electrocution while diving in Smith Mountain Lake
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An 18-year-old man was killed and two others were injured when they jumped into a lake with electricity in the water over the Fourth of July weekend, WABJ reported.
Jesse Hamric, 18, was visiting Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia with family and friends from Colorado when he jumped into the water around 4 a.m. Thursday and died due to stray electricity in the lake, the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office said, according to WABJ.
Seeing that he was in distress, two others jumped into the water to rescue him, but they immediately went into shock. However, they were able to get out of the water and were running around when authorities arrived on the scene, WABJ reported.
All three were taken to a local hospital, where Hamric was pronounced dead and the other two suffered injuries, according to the local media outlet.
Stray voltage causes current
Officials said a stray voltage at a dock caused the electrocution, WABJ reported, adding that the fireboat crew tested the water and confirmed the presence of electrical currents in it. The dock is located at a private residence and the homeowner has been notified, the media outlet said.
Smith Mountain Lake Marine Fire Department Chief Todd Ohlerich told USA TODAY that the department’s electrocution alarm tester detected voltage in the water.
The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident, WABJ reported, adding that they do not suspect foul play. However, the exact cause of death is not yet known. USA TODAY has reached out to the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office for an update on the investigation.
Hamric, who was visiting Virginia from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, was a recent high school graduate and a former quarterback on his school’s football team, according to WABJ, and also played on the baseball team.
Smith Mountain Lake is located about 180 miles from Richmond.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.
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