Helmetless Teen Airlifted After BMX Injury

Authorities airlifted a young teenager to a trauma center Tuesday morning after he suffered a head injury during a bicycle crash in the trails near Christmas Hill Park, according to the Gilroy Fire Department.

The 15-year-old victim and his two friends were riding BMX bikes around 9:30 a.m. in an area of elaborate jumps and ramps near the termination of Laurel Avenue in the Uvas Creek Park Preserve. The victim undershot a jump, smashing into the other side hard enough to break his suspension fork and send him flying face-first into the jump in front of him, said Gilroy Fire Capt. Tim Price.

The severity of the head injury is unknown, and personnel on scene determined that he was not paralyzed, said the captain.

None of the riders were wearing helmets, which visibly frustrated Price and a Gilroy Police officer on the scene, Dave Aceves. Both are avid riders.

“I mountain bike every other day, and I always wear a helmet,” said Aceves.

“I wear a helmet, my son wears a helmet…and we hit jumps way bigger than these,” said Price. 

Jim Masner came across the accident while walking his dog. He said he has been walking in the area for more than twenty years and was first on the scene.

“Just about the time I got in here, one of the boys ran up and said ‘One of my friends is hurt,'” said Masner. 

When he saw the injured boy start walking, Masner asked that his friends help keep him on the ground while medical aid was on the way. He asked that one of the kids call 911, and he advised the fire department on how to approach the isolated area.

Price, who has ridden BMX in the area himself, said that the shovel-built pump track is popular, especially during the summer, and that it was common to see riders swarming the area in the afternoon.

"Every winter, it washes away, and every spring, they rebuild it," said Masner.