An autopsy report shows Aidan Zingg died from cardiac tamponade hemopericardium when the 16-year-old rising motocross star crashed during a dirt-bike race on June 28 in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
The report confirmed what Zingg’s mother, Shari, told USA TODAY Sports on July 11 and provides more detail about his death.
Cardiac tamponade, according to the Cleveland Clinic, “describes a heart that has so much fluid around it that it can’t pump enough blood. The force of this fluid makes it hard for your heart to do its job. This is a medical emergency. A healthcare provider has to remove the extra fluid with a needle or surgery. You need quick treatment for a good outcome.’’
Hemopericardium, according to Radiopaedia.com, “refers to the presence of blood within the pericardial cavity (that surrounds the heart)…If enough blood enters the pericardial cavity, then a potentially fatal cardiac tamponade can occur.’’
The autopsy was performed by Eva Wasef, who pointed out Zingg’s heart had a perforated left ventricle measuring approximately six centimeters, according to the autopsy report. Wasef also indicated the presence of a chest tube with a needle on the right side of Zingg that would have been used in life-saving efforts.
Zingg was thrown from his motorcycle during the race and, when located, he was face down and unresponsive, Nicholas Rhoads of the Mono County Sheriff’s Office said he was advised according to a coroner’s report. Rhoads said he was dispatched to the track at about 10:35 a.m. and began his investigation.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol was first on scene and said the incident was not witnessed, according to the report. The report said the Ski Patrol began CPR and also said Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was applied to Zingg “with no indication for shock.’’
Zingg was then transferred into the care of Mono County Paramedics, which transported him to Mammoth Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased, according to the report.
Life-saving efforts were in process for about 20 minutes during the drive to the hospital and for another 20 minutes at the hospital before a doctor determined Zingg had died, according to Rhoads’ report.