19-Year Old Dies in Downhill Skateboard Crash

Witnesses say the man was riding down SW Autumnview St. when his skateboard lost a wheel.

Courtesy: skateinfusion.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - On Friday, Sheriff's Deputies responded to a skateboard crash involving a 19-year old man in the community of Bull Mountain. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.

Friday at 6:55 p.m., Sheriff's Deputies responded with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue to a crash at 12558 SW Autumnview Street in the community of Bull Mountain. A 19-year old man who lives in the area had crashed on his skateboard and was not breathing.

When deputies arrived, medical personnel were performing CPR on Henry A. Langhaim, who lived at the Autumnview address. They had taken over for neighbors who started CPR immediately after the crash.

Mr. Langhaim was later transported by Metro West Ambulance to Emanuel Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He had suffered a fatal head injury after falling off of his skateboard.

From witness statements and examining Mr. Langhaim's skateboard, Sheriff's Deputies concluded that he has riding down SW Autumnview St. when his skateboard lost a wheel.

Autumnview is a steep street and Mr. Langhaim was not wearing a helmet. He most likely struck his head on the sidewalk after falling off of his skateboard. Although witnesses did not see the crash, they saw Mr. Langhaim immediately after he fell, and they were able to confirm that no moving vehicles struck Mr. Langhaim.

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue offered these tips about helmets:

• Almost 200,000 children visit an emergency room every year because of an injury while biking or skateboarding

• Most deaths are due to a head injury. A head injury is a brain injury.

• A helmet reduces your chances of a head injury by 88%.

• Keep in mind that there are different styles of helmets for biking, skateboarding, or skiing.