UCSD Pole Vaulter Dies After Missing Landing Pad

LA JOLLA, Calif. -- A college pole vaulter has died after missing the landing pad during practice at the University of California, San Diego's La Jolla campus.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office says 19-year-old Leon Roach landed head first on concrete during a training jump Saturday.

Roach immediately became unresponsive, according to the coroner's report.

He was pronounced brain dead at a hospital. An autopsy is pending.

A school spokeswoman issued a statement about the accident, but wouldn't release any details, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"A tragic accident involving one of our talented scholar athletes occurred on campus during a track and field workout yesterday," the statement read. "Words cannot begin to express our sorrow. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of this remarkable student."

A memorial service will be held this week in Huntington Beach, where Roach graduated from Marina High School.

Information from the Associated Press and the San Diego Union-Tribune was used in this report.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

9-06-2009 @ 6:57PM

msastra said...

That's very sad. Is the landing pad usually laid on concrete? Seems like a tragedy waiting to happen.

9-07-2009 @ 2:30AM

Bruce said...

Very sad-- but what are they doing competing in the pole vault at the high school level in the first place? It's a VERY dangerous event, and it's amazing that more young athletes aren't seriously injured in competition. If you land on your HEAD from 15 feet in the air, does it REALLY make any difference if you land on concrete or grass? Don't be ridiculous! As for liability, there are standards for the padded landing area which incorporate ALL of the seriously likely places where a vaulter might land. If they land outside of that, they shouldn't have been doing it at all.

9-07-2009 @ 6:08AM

flashygrrl21 said...

Looks like the running lane for it is concrete.

9-07-2009 @ 6:11AM

Oh and Bruce? It's college.

Sorry bout the double post, wish they had an edit function.

9-07-2009 @ 8:44AM

Lynn said...

Yes, its very sad when a life is lost so early, however I don't consider it a "tragedy" as there's a level of risk that every individual must assume when undertaking these types of activities. Unfortunately, the article doesn't specify how many "jumps" he (or others) had taken prior to him overshooting the mat. Was this the standard mat and location used for pole vaulting? Was he attempting a "higher" or "lower" jump, and misjudged the amount of speed? I'm sure there are a lot of variables at play here the public is unaware of.

9-07-2009 @ 10:12AM

sportsguy56201 said...

He was doing a swinging rope drill, not pole vaulting. here is a You-Tube link to what that practice looks like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeTPgONnrV0
It is very unfortunate. When you are swinging upside down on a rope, and fall, who knows where you will land. Tragic. My duaghter pole vaulted in middle school, high school and college for 10 years. I worried about a broken pole causing a bad fall or stabbing. It is a dangerouse sport whether you are practicing it or actually doing the vault over the bar.

9-07-2009 @ 10:19AM

Snapper Head said...

Only my little opinion:

Why not put out more landing pad thingys?

I am sending positive thoughts to the family of this child in my meditation today...

VERY, VERY sad!

~J

9-07-2009 @ 1:18PM

Leana Jo H. said...

No, it's supposed to be asphalt and cinder, like the track. That is very sad...

I do believe pole vaulting is the most dangerous event of track & field.

9-07-2009 @ 2:20PM

raven said...

no buh behind it
remember it said he overshot it and landed behind it and in most feilds the landing area then the concrete to running surface

9-07-2009 @ 11:57PM

patr728 said...

Um Bruce, he was a college student competing at the U of C. And yes it certainly can be dangerous.

9-06-2009 @ 7:06PM

tbrown5373 said...

My prayers are with Leon's family and friends. May God give you His srength and peace through this tragic time. God bles you all...

9-06-2009 @ 7:48PM

terrencehm said...

How terribly tragic. My heart and prayers go out to this young man and his family and friends.

Why in Heaven was the landing pad next to concrete? I Pole Vaulted in High School on our Track and Field team in the early to mid 70's and our Landing Pitt was always on the grass. We ran on the track along side the football field. That is how it was set up at the other High Schools.

There was usually a few times a week someone would miss the Landing PITT.The worse thing that happened was someone might get the wind knocked out of them. Pole Vaulting is an extremely difficult sport to be good at it.

You are maxing out your boddy running down the track.Have to focus to stick the pole and then with strenth and finese fly up and over . If you mess up one step it all comes apart.

But the heights were noting compared to today. Maybe the kids need to wear somekind of protective head gear.

I know of two friends whose kids were experienced brain injuries from Skate Boarding accident;s

What a terrible accident.

For goodness sakes, Parents and yung people, Be careful out there.

God Bless Leon Roach and his family

9-06-2009 @ 8:21PM

zippertheslipper said...

Sad to hear this news, the pole vault is a dangerous event indeed. I remember seeing a track meet and the pole busted in half when the vaulter was going up in the air, almost speared the dude.
As for the pit, why cant they surround it with more padding or netting to catch an errant landing.

9-06-2009 @ 9:02PM

TomW said...

I coached track in high school for a few years and we did not offer pole vault simply because it was so dangerous. Having said that, the meets that I attended that had pole vault had extensive pad sytem that would make anything but a backward fall protected. Perhaps this was a backward fall, with the vaulter reaching the top of his push and for some reason coming back to the run up area. I hope the circulate the details of the accident to track coaches at all levels before the next track season. What a terrible loss of a young life.

9-06-2009 @ 8:54PM

mintrubble71 said...

I hope the family sues the crap out of the school for putting the landing pad anywhere near concrete. I would guess that constitutes negligence. It won't bring him back, but hopefully he'll be the last person to die that way.

9-07-2009 @ 6:49AM

fargojoy said...

You "hope they sue the crap out of" the school, but only "guess" it is negligence. "Negligence" is not something you guess at; it's something you determine based on all the facts, and standards of law involving the concept of "due care." Maybe you should stop to realize how little you really know before mouthing off about "suing the crap" out of someone. You're presumably just another young little runt content to run your sucky little mouth off uninhibited by ignorance or humility.

9-07-2009 @ 11:02AM

judie said...

You idiot!!!

He missed the landing!!!! It was an accident. What is wrong with people these days? Every one wants to sue. All athletes know the dangers. People need to start taking responsibility for what they do.
It is very sad what happened but these freak things do happen. I pray for comfort for his family.

9-06-2009 @ 9:10PM

Jim said...

My heartfelt sympathies go out to this mans family. It is indeed a tragic loss.

As for the numbnuts that decided to sell their crap in here, I would love to meet to discuss this. Then I would love to shove your handbags up your ass!

9-06-2009 @ 9:12PM

michaelbinca said...

Back in the day we vaulted into sawdust pits. One time in 7th grade, the coach came to me and ask if I'd try pole vaulting. I went outside to try it. I looked down at this little pit with about 4 inches of sawdust in it. You must be joking. Those air-filled landing mattresses were some 35 years away when I started. I did vault about 7 feet before spraining my ankle. Then I quit.