Dirt biker dies after he’s impaled by broken branch in bushes, California cops say

A dirt biker died after he was thrown from his bike onto a broken branch while riding behind his son, California police told news outlets.

Rex Brian Powell died Sunday, April 10, after he landed on a broken branch that was in bushes, the Lake County News reported.

The 68-year-old from San Rafael was following his son on a separate bike in an area that’s designated for off-roading vehicles in the Mendocino National Forest, California Highway Patrol Officer Piers Pritt told The Press Democrat.

There was debris on the trail and Powell’s son came to a stop in front of him. Powell hit the brakes and was thrown into the air, according to The Press Democrat.

Powell landed on a branch that pierced his chest, the Bay Area News Group reported. His son took him to a campground where emergency responders pronounced him dead.

Police told the Lake County News that Powell was wearing full protective gear. He was riding a 2022 Husqvarna motorcycle, according to SF Gate.

Drugs or alcohol were not involved in the crash, police told news outlets.

This story was originally published April 14, 2022 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Dirt biker dies after he’s impaled by broken branch in bushes, California cops say."