Pole vaulter dies after missing landing pad
Roach lands head first on concrete at San Diego’s La Jolla campus
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updated 4:37 p.m. ET Sept. 6, 2009
LA JOLLA, Calif. - A college pole vaulter has died after missing the landing pad during practice at the University of California, San Diego’s La Jolla campus.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office says 19-year-old Leon Roach landed head first on concrete during a training jump Saturday.
Roach immediately became unresponsive, according to the coroner’s report.
He was pronounced brain dead at a hospital. An autopsy is pending.
A memorial service will be held this week in Huntington Beach, where Roach graduated from Marina High School.
© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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