Coach Dies in Freak Accident: Impaled By Pole While Riding Bike (PHOTO)

California Coach Dies in Freak Bicycle Accident

A popular California high school coach and teacher was killed this week when riding his bicycle in a freak accident that caused him to become impaled on the gate of a parking lot.

Marion Adams turned around while bicycling away from Rio Linda High School in the Sacramento area to wave goodbye to a student when he ran into the metal parking lot gate.

Adams was immediately transported to a local hospital and underwent two surgeries, but ultimately died from internal injuries suffered in the freak accident.

“Marion was the most popular and nicest man on campus; just a great guy,” Mike Morris, the school’s varsity football team coach and athletic director, told the Sacramento Bee. “It’s a huge loss, devastating to our community.”

Adams, who was a track and field coach at the high school in addition to being a multimedia teacher, was very well liked on campus.

According to Sacbee.com, for decades, Adams coached youth football and Little League in Rio Linda, often usuing his own time and resourses to help at risk kids.

“Marion loved kids, loved seeing them do well,” said Adams’ brother, David Adams. “He absolutely loved Rio Linda. He gave up a job that paid really well to teach and coach at his favorite school.”

A vigil attended by hundreds of students, colleagues and friends was observed earlier this week.

“I was so impressed, so touched by the outpouring of support,” David Morris said. “So many people hung out for the night in the hospital. I knew what kind of man he was – he’s my brother – but to see all that love and support really moved us. We’re all feeling this.”

David Adams said doctors were amazed that he survived as long as he did.

“Doctors told us that most people would die right away from an injury like that,” David Adams said. “But Marion was a fighter, and they twice resuscitated him. They opened his chest to massage his heart, and thought he had a chance. But they could never stop the bleeding. It was too much.”

Adams is survived by wife Kathy, son Joe and daughter Sarah, two grandchildren, his mother, Edith, and seven siblings: David, Steve, Janice, Caroline, Betty, Lorraine and Mark.

On The Web:

California high school teacher dies in freak bicycle accident
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/03/06/california-high-school-teacher-coach-dies-in-freak-bicycle-accident/

Rio Linda High mourns death of popular coach
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/06/5239694/rio-linda-high-mourns-death-