I just heard from a friend today that #811 Josh Lichtle had suffered from heat stroke and went into a coma ,then passed away after this past motocross national. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Guscycle
God bless this young man ... Licthle tangled with Ryan Villopoto and Tommy Hahn in the first turn of Lap 1, but recovered and was making his way up in the pack before collapsing on his bike on turn 18 of the 10th and final lap. Licthle got up and tried to restart his bike, but fell again and began going into heat-related seizures. He was treated by the track doctor and on-site EMTs before being taken to nearby Saint Joseph's Medical Center. "He was doing really good, running some laptimes right there with the best of them, right there with Ryan Villopoto and Davi Millsaps, and he was really going for it," said Bill Licthle, Josh's older brother. "He got overheated, basically, and by the last laps he was practically passing out on the bike. He just wouldn't quit. That was Josh: He just had so much heart and he wanted to be back competing at this level so bad that he wouldn't have quit for anything." Doctors induced a coma to attempt to stabilize Licthle's core body temperature, according to his brother, and he appeared to have been stabilized by Sunday night. Despite apparent progress, Licthle died around 2 a.m. Monday morning, surrounded by family and loved ones. "My parents really supported him through every stage of his racing career, and they're just devastated now," said Bill.
That is absolutely horrible. I'm a heat stroke survivor and this brings back memories I'd rather forget. My thoughts and prayers go out to Josh and his loved ones. RIP Josh.
I got overheated and nearly crashed into my truck at the end of a moto many years ago. Had time to recover, drink lots of fluids, not wear quite as much gear in the second moto and simply took it easy. Sorry to hear about this. I know he loved competing, but must have become too confused too listen to what his body was telling him. Very sad.
careful in the heat kids. it'll git ya w/o even knowing it. been there, scary. tragic loss to the community. RIP brother.
terrible, terrible news. be safe out there. I quit(bad word for me) the only Nat Enduro I entered, because of heat issues, mid to high 90s in the Wickenburg Az nat. altitude 2-2.5K feet. I completed the first sections but elected to go back to the pits before the final AA loop, I was dizzy and felt nauseated and my judgement was gone. One of our crew continued into the AA loop and was picked up by the chase crew on the side of the trail stuck in full body cramping fetal position, he was lucky. His electroytic function was gone and his muscles seized, remember your heart is a muscle too!!. For me after returning to pits and sitting in shade with a water dousing and with electrolyte drinks and some sports bars I recovered within an hour, I am still bummed about the DNF, but glad I knew my limits, I was wheezing for a couple of weeks after that race. Godspeed Josh.
yep. first time i was two days in ona patrol in the tecuya's, 95* heat, 7500' elev. i had to pull over and stop. was stuck there out of radio contact, just me and my bike. dizzy, dry heave, cramps etc....watied till dark and barely made it out to the road and got a lift. i was fragged for two days after. was in shape, on form, felt fine hammering away on some ST then WHAM. if ya dont know the signs look them up. it compounds and will sneak up and nail ya. then its all bets off if you survive. please- be safe in the heat yall. my #2 resuce was for heat related issues, even on alpine trails. some did not make it and its heart breaking when a rescue turns into a recovery. please- be SAFE. know the signs. your normal riding skill limits have little to do with it. the heat index aint no joke.
That was really sad reading what his brother had to say. Prayers to his family and friends. BTW please re-read the dukes last line and be safe.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Josh and family. I know Josh was in far greater shape and better skilled rider than most on the forum. Hopefully this tragidy can and will save many others. Later George
This really hits home. Can't even begin to imagine... Thoughts and prayers for Mom, Dad, Brother and all who surrounded Josh. Josh...RIP
