(NewsNation) — Aidan Zingg, a 16-year-old motocross star, has died after a midrace accident during the Mammoth Mountain MX event in California on Saturday, according to reports.
Dirtbikelover.com reported that Zingg “went down in a corner” during the 250 B class race and was run over by multiple bikes while unconscious. Other outlets like MotoSport.com and MX Sports confirmed Zingg’s death.
Aidan Zingg’s sister: ‘It’s been a day and I feel like it’s been a lifetime’
Following his death, 18-year-old Alex Zingg, the motocross star’s sister, posted a tribute to her brother on Instagram.
“It’s been a day and I feel like it’s been a lifetime. My heart is completely broken. You used to joke that I was so old and that I’d die first, I would always joke that you were crazy and you’d be the first. Now I’m sitting here wishing with everything that I am that you were right so I’d never have to live a day without you,” she wrote.
Donn Maeda, who is a motocross journalist, paid tribute to the teen online, saying he was “one of those kids that made an impression on you from the moment you met him.” Zingg had just joined Kawasaki’s Team Green, which is a national support program for the brand’s drivers. He also had sponsorships with companies like Bell and Oakley.
Aidan Zingg started racing in elementary school
Zingg, who was a native of Hemet, California, had recently qualified for his seventh consecutive AMA Amateur Motocross National Championship. That is scheduled to be held in July at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, according to USA Today.
Zingg had been racing since elementary school and eventually signed with Kawasaki’s Team Green, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Kawasaki Racing posted on X about his death, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Kawasaki Team Green rider Aidan Zingg. Zingg’s dedication and kind demeanor will forever be remembered.”