Colorado teen dies in apparent electrocution in Virginia lake

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — A recent Steamboat Springs High School graduate died after an apparent electrocution in a lake in Virginia on Thursday.

The Bedford County Sheriff's Office said they received a call early Thursday morning for a possible drowning at Smith Mountain Lake, which is about an hour drive southeast of Roanoke.

First responders were told by friends and family that two of them jumped into the water when they realized the victim was in distress and immediately felt a shock. 

They were able to remove the victim, identified as 18-year-old Jesse Hamric, from the lake and begin CPR until paramedics arrived.

Hamric was taken to the hospital where he died. The two people who pulled Hamric out of the water were treated at the scene and released.

The medical examiner will determine Hamric's exact cause of death after an autopsy.

Steamboat Springs High School confirmed in a letter to students and families that Hamric was the victim. He graduated this year.

He was the son of Jay Hamric, principal of the high school, and his wife Heidi. The letter says he was on a family vacation when he died.

The high school said it will be open between 3-5 p.m. on Friday with mental health and crisis response professionals available to speak with staff and students. There will also be a message box for anyone who would like to leave a card for the Hamric family.

A prayer vigil is being held Friday at 6 p.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church located at 524 Oak St. in Steamboat Springs.

"In this difficult time, it can be hard to know when to reach out to the Hamric family to share your love and support," Superintendent Celine Wicks said in the letter. "It can be challenging to find a balance between allowing the family space, time and the privacy to grieve and wanting them to know that there is immense love and support around them. In the immediate, please keep the Hamric’s in your thoughts and prayers. We will communicate any information we receive regarding a gathering to honor Jesse and show our love and support to the family."

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