Fatal dirt bike crash in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A dirt bike accident in Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area left one dead and another injured over the weekend. The Coos County Sheriff's Office said they responded to a crash near Railroad Hill on May 24 just after 5 p.m., where they found an injured 35-year-old man and an injured 13-year-old who had been involved in the crash. Both the 35-year-old and the 13-year-old were operating dirt bikes and travelling north when they came upon a side-by-side vehicle driving south. The side-by-side driver saw the dirt bikes and stopped, but the dirt bikes did not see the other vehicle and jumped a dune. One of the dirt bikes landed on top of the side-by-side, and the other attempted to brake but collided with it head-on. The 35-year-old was flown by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter to Bay Area Hospital, but did not survive. The 13-year-old broke multiple bones throughout his body. He was transported to Bay Area Hospital, then to Portland for pediatric medical care. Both dirt bike riders were wearing appropriate riding gear, helmets and flags. The side-by-side driver also had the required safety equipment and a flag. The sheriff's office said both speed and jumping without a spotter were contributing factors in the crash. In a statement, they said all riders of quads, dirt bikes, and side-by-sides should always have a spotter and a clear landing area when jumping.