SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A former Brigham Young University track and field sprinter died Wednesday afternoon after a tragic mountain biking accident, according to a university press release.
Scott Mecham passed away after a “bad crash” while out mountain biking with a friend on Friday, Sept. 12. He was taken by helicopter to the University of Utah Medical Center after the accident.
He was reportedly later transferred to the University of Utah. He had reportedly suffered a contusion to the cervical spinal cord, mostly paralyzing him from the neck down. Doctors removed some bone in his spine to allow room for the swelling of the cord.
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Mecham passed away Wednesday afternoon, according to the university. He is survived by his wife Cierra and his two daughters, Jayden and Parker.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Scott Mecham,” said Ed Eyestone, BYU director of track and field. “Scott had one of the most positive attitudes and strong work ethics that we have seen in the BYU track and field program. His teammates were made better by his example, and he became one of our best 400-meter hurdlers in school history. But even more inspiring than his athletic skills, his true strength was his character and ability to lead and inspire in his unassuming, humble way. We will miss you, Scott.”
Mecham competed from 2017 through 2019, according to the university. He reportedly raced in 30 meets for the Cougars over his collegiate career. He is considered one of the program’s all-time top sprinters, holding the sixth-best all-time performance in the outdoor 400m hurdles at the 2018 BYU Robison Invitational.
“Scott was a great athlete, and an even more incredible person,” said Kyle Grossarth, who served as Mecham’s sprints coach. “He was a fierce competitor who always left everything out on the track.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Mecham’s family during this time.
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