A tragic incident occurred in Virginia when 18-year-old Jesse Hamric, visiting friends from Colorado, lost his life after jumping into an electrified lake. The Bedford County Sheriff’s Office reported that Hamric entered Smith Mountain Lake near Roanoke on Thursday morning, where his friends noticed something was wrong. Two individuals bravely jumped in to help him but felt a current of electricity in the water, believed to be caused by stray voltage from a nearby dock.
Despite suffering minor injuries, Hamric’s friends managed to pull him out of the water and performed CPR until first responders arrived at the scene around 4 a.m. He was then taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead. The incident is being investigated as an accident, and authorities have informed the homeowner of the residence about the voltage issue that needs to be fixed by an electrician.
Jesse Hamric was a talented football and baseball player at Steamboat Springs High School in Colorado and had recently graduated. A fundraiser called the “Jesse Cyrus Hamric Foundation for Courage and Love” was set up on GoFundMe to support his family, raising over $72,000. The community expressed its heartfelt condolences, describing Jesse as a beloved friend who brought positivity wherever he went and will be deeply missed.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures around bodies of water, especially during the summer when many people engage in water-related activities. Stray voltage in lakes or pools can pose a serious risk to swimmers and should be promptly addressed by homeowners and authorities to prevent similar accidents from happening in the future. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of potential hazards and take necessary precautions to ensure their well-being and that of others.
As the investigation into Jesse Hamric’s death continues, the community is coming together to support his family and honor his memory. The outpouring of donations and messages of sympathy demonstrates the impact Jesse had on those around him and the lasting legacy he leaves behind. May his spirit live on through the foundation created in his name, inspiring others to embody courage and love in their own lives.