Motocross racer dies after crash at Washougal

WASHOUGAL, Wash. -- An 18-year-old man competing in a tournament at Washougal Motocross Park in southwest Washington was fatally injured Saturday when he was thrown from his bike during a practice run.

Track officials say Rocky Gesner, of Orting, was on a downhill portion about 8:45 Saturday morning when the front wheel of his bike turned out, throwing him to the track.

Gesner, described as an experienced racer, was wearing protective gear, including a helmet and chest and neck pads.

Track spokesman Brian Barnes says officials don

t know what caused Gesner

s bike to spin out, or why he hit the ground so severely. He says other spin-out crashes at the track have usually resulted only in minor injuries.

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

Barnes says the crash was the second fatality at the Washougal track since it opened in 1971.