Fatal luge accident in Kansas City

[JBH]

I want to let people on the 'Fish know that a young man named Steve Baumgartner, a.k.a. "Baum-G," lost his life while piloting his street luge last Saturday night, April 26, 2008. He was riding a hill in Kansas City, MO around 8:30 p.m. in preparation for a gravity-powered vehicles event to be held the next day. He lost control of his luge, hit a tree and was killed. After his death, the planned event was canceled.

Steve's death was a top story on Kansas City TV news, as you might expect. Other accounts can be found at Man Killed In Luge Accident Identified - News Story - KCTV Kansas City and www.kansascity.com | 04/28/2008 | Police identify victim of street-luge accident.

I didn't know Baum-G well, as I had only met him one time, three weeks before. I don't know all the details, as I've only spoken to a couple of guys who knew him. But after talking to those guys, we thought it was important enough to mention here, out of respect for Baum-G and out of the desire to remind people of the real dangers that exist in downhill and street luge. This type of incident is extremely rare, but it can happen, even to an experienced rider, which I believe Baum-G was. Please be careful out there.

I encourage anyone who wishes to offer support to do so on the Midwest Gravity Riders page at MySpace.com - Midwest Gravity Riders - 35 - Male - Kansas City, Missouri - www.myspace.com/midwestgravityriders.

My condolences go out to Steve's family and to all who knew him, especially to longtime KC gravity rider "Fast Eddie."

Steve, may you rest in peace.

Jonathan Harms,
St. Louis, MO

[Loki440]

shitty beans, my respect goes out to his friends and family

[npr]

to Eddie and the entire KC Gravity scene, my sincere condolences.

- Nick Pourgoutzidis

[GPymp]

Was he the guy pictured on the McDonald's cup's recently?

[WeekendxCarver]

All i know is it rocked me the day i heard about it hits pretty close to home

[king edward]

Was he the guy pictured on the McDonald's cup's recently?

That's a different guy.

[chutimnspitimout]

I dont even know the guy but this news hit me really hard...
rest in peace man

[animal]

just paying respects for another gravity cowboy

[revzack]

Wow, sorry to hear about that. RIP.

[Foblander]

RIP man.. so many of these threads of people getting hurt or dying now and days

[hyzershot]

a sad reminder of how fast a life can be taken, kiss your loved ones and appreciate life cause it can come and go so fast.

respect and condolences to the family and friends.

[PMC]

My respect & condolences to the Family & friends RIP

[Braden343]

R.I.P. somethings we just don't have control of, but If I were to go tomorrow, I'd want to be doing what I love, and I think he was doing just that.

[jimmysaon]

Tomorrow! hop on your boards and tear up the streeetzzz.
Although i didn't know steve, everyone who rides tomorrow is for steve!
R.I.P. and my thoughts out to his family and friends.

[Gage]

May he luge in heaven. R.I.P

[Davis V]

lets hope that this doesnt happen to any of us fishes

[Karv]

I hope he at least died doing what he loved.

[basstard]

Man I don't even know the guy and im about to cry.
Its just heart breaking to hear that.

[assumeivan]

rest in peace bro

[urbs]

i never knew him, but RIP