Just got word he had a bad get off and am being told he did not make it. My prayers go out to him and his family. I was just talking to him on Thursday.

This really sucks.He was a really nice kid and I know he had a lot of friends. Just saw him at Burnt ridge a couple weeks ago.What happened?
RIP Rocky

coming down horsepower hill, front tire a little crossed, bad get off. Bike flipped about 4 times, he did about 1 1/2, landed and ran to the side of the track and collapsed. Ryan wss about 4 bike lengths behind him and he was running off the track when he came over the hill. Keep his family in your prayers and hearts in this tough tragic time. He will be missed.
Godspeed Rocky

Alice(625's mom)

Motocross racer dies after crash at Washougal 1 Hour, 54 Minutes ago
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/05/0510200...dies-after-crash-at- Washougal.cfm


Motocross racer dies after crash at Washougal



Saturday, May 10, 2008
By LAURA McVICKER Columbian Staff Writer

An 18-year-old racer competing in a tournament at Washougal Motocross Park was fatally injured Saturday after his bike spun out of control and he was thrown.

The cyclist, Rocky Gesner of Orting, was taking a practice run on the track prior to his race. He was speeding along a downhill portion when the front wheel of his bike turned out, sending him onto the track where he suffered severe chest injuries, arena officials reported.

Two Clark County sheriff’s units and two paramedic units responded and were transporting him to a Life Flight helicopter when he died. It was about 9:30 a.m., 45 minutes after the crash.

Arena officials don’t know what caused Gesner’s bike to spin out, and they don’t know why his plunge was severe enough to be fatal. There have been bike spin-out crashes at the track before, but they’ve usually only resulted in minor injuries, said Brian Barnes, spokesman for the park.

Gesner, an experienced racer from a small town southeast of Tacoma, was wearing protective gear, including a helmet and chest and neck pads.

“It’s basically what I would consider in 30 years experience, a very freak deal,” Barnes said. “He’s rode here many times before. This was an intermediate rider who was one step below the professional level.”

Saturday’s crash was only the second fatality at Washougal’s track since it opened in 1971, Barnes said.

Gesner was competing in a regional tournament that drew 560 racers from six states and Canada. Races went on after the crash, and will continue Sunday.

Following Gesner’s death, organizers and participants had a moment of silence. “All riders are riding on in his memory,” Barnes said.

A medical examiner determined Gesner died from his injuries, and the investigation is considered closed, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Eastman.

Laura McVicker can be reached at 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

This just breaks my heart. I never met Rocky but saw him ride many times. Godspeed moto brother!

everytime i saw Rocky he was a happy kid
all prayers to the family!
This is tragic!!

This is terrible.

I wish his family the best.

I was riding mountain ikes today and checked my text messages when i was done. I could not believe what I read. I have known the gesner family since I was very young. My sister was playing little league softball with his sister. I remember being surprised to see rocky a couple years ago at the track because I was unaware that he was racing. I really thought rocky could have gone a long way in the sport. He had all the drive and determination that you could possibly need. He was dedicated to his bike and loved being at the track. He will be in my thoughts. I would like to get some contact info for his mom and dad and also his older sister. If any one has any info please let me know. Rocky will be missed a great deal.

Rare as it is in our sport, the shock and sadness remains bold. My thoughts are with his family.

quote:

Originally posted by Crater:
I would like to get some contact info for his mom and dad and also his older sister. If any one has any info please let me know. Rocky will be missed a great deal.

his myspace is myspace.com/rocky016 his sister is on his top friends

We opted out of racing this weekend at either Hannegan or Washougal. Justin and I were working on a personal project when we got the call from Greg's mom Angie. Justin said "that guy is in my class racing. Dad, he was a really nice guy"
Angie suggested that our club SMC put up $500 to help out with the upcoming funeral expenses. I guess her and Garret were gonna coordinate a fund over the speakers at the track. It's my understanding the folks could use the help.
I really feel for his Mom this Mother's Day.

That hill backwards was just waiting for this to happen. It now needs to be renamed to "headshake hill"

Nonetheless, his class sign-up sheet may read DNS but he beat us THERE. I can't think of a better way to go out but at the beautiful Washougal facility while enjoying racing, family and friends.

I am on my way home from Washougal right now, it was probably the saddest weekend I have ever experienced. Rocky was a good friend to anyone that knew him and we had some great battles on the track that I will never forget.
Last night a memorial was held in his honor up on horsepower hill at the spot where the crash took place, and you will find his number plate as a permanent fixture in one of the trees towards the bottom of the hill.

Also, if you want to make donations to help the family I know that Hyper Racewear is selling shirts in Rocky's honor with most of the proceeds going to the family, and I though I heard Garrett DeVol mention being able to make donations through them.

++++VIBES++++ Rocky sounds like you were a great kid that left the earth way to soon. Next time I ride I'll roost one for ya...

Rocky's death sure put a pall on the rest of the weekend, but I always mention how wonderful the MX family is and it was proven yet again at Washougal. The candlelight vigil and tribute on Sunday morning were a huge show of support for Rocky's family. The sympathy could be felt from every single person at the track, it was very moving. Thanks to Brian Barnes who handled his difficult announcing duties with grace and compassion. Well done.

I have set up a page for Rocky on my website. We got some good pictures of the vigil and tribute and will have them up as soon as they are processed (later today or maybe tomorrow morning). In the meantime there is a comments box and I'd like those who knew him to leave their thoughts and comments as a tribute.

www.northwestmotocross.com/rip446.html

Though it is a bit morbid to ask, does anyone know the cause of death? The reason I ask is perhaps it will help someone else. Was it a poor helmet, poor chest protector, neck issue or just a catastrophic unavoidable accident. I know Rocky did wear a chest protector, not sure of helmet type or neck brace.

here is a link to the best article explaining it.It said a broken clavical severed his artery.
http://www.northwestmotocross.com/sadday.html

Ah OK, so that begs the question was he wearing a Leatt brace?

Top of the line shoie lid, and leatt brace it was just the force of impact

Seems to me there has been a rash of collar bone breaks since the onset of the Leatt. I hope that wasn't the issue here.

Wow. Josh was skiing the last month, and saw a young guy in the snow park crash. The exact same thing happened to him. His collar bone broke, and it severed his artery. That was the first I had ever heard of that happening, and am surprised that I am hearing this again. Everyone just kind of accepts by default that collar bone injuries are pretty minor.