A 14-year-old boy, Camden Trail, tragically lost his life in a motocross accident during a practice session at East Bend Motorsports in North Carolina on Saturday, June 7. The fatal incident occurred when two riders collided midair near the finish line, according to a statement released by the facility.
Trail, a resident of Bassett, Virginia, was remembered as a passionate motocross enthusiast and a beloved young man with a bright spirit. “Neither one was at fault that we can tell after reviewing our cameras; it was purely a tragic incident,” wrote Travis Rominger of East Bend Motorsports, who was the first person to reach Camden after the crash.
Paramedics arrived on the scene within a minute, and life-saving efforts continued for over an hour, but Trail did not survive. “There is nothing that we would have done any differently, but we do seek to honor Camden,” Rominger added. “And his parents made it very clear to me in the ambulance that [he] died doing what he loved.”
Officials from East Bend Motorsports, the East Bend Police Department, and the East Bend Fire Department did not immediately respond to media inquiries. According to his obituary, Camden was preceded in death by five siblings. He was described as an adventurous teen who loved the outdoors, enjoyed riding mountain bikes and jet skis, and especially had a passion for dirt bikes.
“Cam loved just about anything with a motor, especially his dirt bikes,” the obituary read. “He was a loved young man who had an infectious smile for everyone in his life.” In addition to his motocross hobby, Trail was a dedicated student, cherished his friends, and even ran his own lawn care business, showcasing a remarkable work ethic for someone so young.
A GoFundMe campaign organized by East Bend Motorsports in Camden’s memory has raised more than $27,000 as of June 10 to support his family during this difficult time. In a follow-up Facebook post, Rominger shared that he has been in regular contact with the Trail family and that they have given their blessing for a permanent memorial to be placed at the track in Camden’s honor.
An annual “Cam” Memorial Shoot-Out Race is also planned to debut next June. “Cam loved motocross and he loved EBMX,” Rominger wrote. “He will be missed but never forgotten.”