Updated: 14-year-old killed at motocross track, police cruiser crashes while responding
A dirt bike crash at a Wareham motorcross track resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy on Saturday, June 15. A Wareham Police Department cruiser was involved in an accident while responding.
The dirt bike crash took place at the Diamond MX Motocross Facility at 131 Atwood Farm Way in East Wareham.
Wareham police, fire and emergency personnel responded to the scene after a 911 call at 12:37 p.m. They found the boy with serious injuries, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.
The Onset Fire Department said its crews began treatment of the boy, who they found with “life threatening injuries,” and transferred care to Wareham EMS.
He was transported to Tobey Hospital in Wareham and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The District Attorney’s office has not yet released his identity or town of residence.
Track operator Diamond MX announced on Facebook on Saturday that a “tragic accident” had occurred at the track.
“The Diamond MX family extends our deepest condolences to the rider’s family and all involved,” read the post.
“We can confidently say all safety measures were taken and in place today... With that being said, we also know the risk that is involved,” it said.
The track was closed Sunday, June 16, while its operators considered its response.
The Massachusetts State Police are investigating the accident in conjunction with the District Attorney’s office.
131 Atwood Farm Way was formerly operated as Wareham MX, and announced it was closing in March of 2022.
A 13-year-old girl from Carver, Ava Pioppi of Carver, had been killed in an on-track incident on Sept. 6, 2021.
The investigation into the 2021 incident found that the Pioppi appeared to have lost control of her bike after landing a jump, and collided with a rider who was coming the other way.
While responding to Saturday’s incident, a Wareham Police Department cruiser was involved in a crash.
The cruiser had lights and sirens activated and was involved in a crash with a minivan just after 12:30 p.m. The crash took place at Union Avenue and 12th Street in Onset.
The police officer involved was transported to Tobey Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the Wareham Police Department. It is unclear whether there were any injuries to the driver of the minivan.
A resident at the scene said the cruiser “was going no doubt 60-70 miles per hours down a residential street.” The Wareham Police Department has not provided additional information about the incident.
According to this resident, an officer at the scene said the cruiser was “responding to another accident with an unresponsive victim.”