BMX star Dane Searls has died in hospital after diving head first from a balcony at a Gold Coast pub on Sunday night. Searls, 23, has been in a coma since Sunday night after he attempted to dive from the first floor of Billy’s Beach House into the pool.
Wow!!!! Holy cow..... It goes to show how even our hero's are mortal.... Sometimes when I look on Pink bike and watch these movies I feel i'm in the presence of immortals... When stuff like this happens it goes to show how much we should live life like every day is our last!! RIP Dane Searls, your sick riding will be missed!!
@chris: lol !?? nothing remotely funny about your dumbass comment - i ride Burnaby Mt. and hope i never see you up there...you may think his death is an opportunity to be [ not ] funny and feel it is cool to make a 'balcony jumping' joke about this, but the real opportunity would have been not to expose your stupid self here and show respect for a life that was cut short by a mistake - NO doubt you have ever, or will ever, bring a fraction of the inspiration Dane did to so many - so go troll your idiot face and comments elsewhere, or, have 1/10 the gajones Dane had, think well about your comment and yet another opportunity to apologize out of respect to his passing, family and friends...
Such a shock, really got me feeling down. He'll really be missed. And why is there always some f*cker who tries to take the piss or make a joke on PinkBike? Just respect him, even it you didn't know him!
I'm truly speechless- can't believe it. So so sorry for all his friends and family- thoughts to those closest to him. His inspirational riding stretched worldwide and although he was taken in such tragic circumstances he achieved more in his 23 years than others will ever do. R.I.P. Dane- you will not be forgotten.
it was only the first floor balcony, so less than 5 meters high, and it wasn't a huge gap or anything. But it shows how easily things can go wrong when alcohol is involved.
Seriously??? A man has died, a great rider who we ALL can relate to, and some of you guys want to talk trash about HOW he died??? Sure jumping off a balcony into a pool is dangerous, but so is riding our bikes like we do. The man has died and THAT is a tragedy. how he died is somewhat inconsequential cause it's over, he's not coming back and that is terrible both for the riding comunity and for his family/friends. Let me ask those of you who think you're too cool and funny talking shit about his death something: What if this was YOUR BEST FRIEND???? Would you be critiscizing HOW he died??? As a person who has lost TEN friends in the last 7 years (yes that's right TEN of my good friends one of whom was my best friend have died in the last 7 years, And I worked in an ER for years and have had people clutch onto me as they've died - really terrible) I can tell you all you would be doing is crying, feeling like CRAP and wondering if it was in some way your fault. Making light of a person dying makes you less then a person
Anyway, RIP to Dane. Our comunity is at a loss with you gone mate.
RHYS-THE-RIDER: Man I don't envy you being there mate. That must have been awfull aye. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that experience. I've seen SO many people die when I worked in a local ER and frankly after years of "getting used to it" I'm still not used to it. I'm sorry for your loss and for his friends/family's loss as well. Not to sound calous, but what pub was he at cause I used to live over there and spent ALOT of time on the gold coast esp. in pubs aye.
@ The-Medic: thanks for echoing my sentiments and many others on this 'issue' - somehow evolution of the heart has passed up on many of the idiots commenting here - most of the trash talking is testosterone of the head [ dickheads ] and that's too bad cause it is testosterone that allows me to still shred at 68; most of the guys [ and a few gals ] i ride with are as young as 17 and up to about 45 and most can kill it on the sickest DH rips without the need to put someone else down in order to put themselves up...my point : ANYONE who thinks it is ok to make light of, or be preachy about Danes death HOWEVER it happened, has way too much testosterone which of course is why they are...PRICKS.
Yeah, I agree. Death isn't sad in certain circumstances such as in extreme old age and so on, but this is truly sad; a talented young man died doing a stunt while devoid of his executive functioning. Alcohol kills via a plethora of methods. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, I hope they can find some peace and meaning in all of this.......man, just so sad.
Devinallan000x....You'd want to go out balcony jumping head first into the cement? Go for it...just be sure to Go Pro it..seriously..have someone willing and ready to upload that.
@Dirt-Gash : 'That would be some sweet footage' !!!? where the hell do you trolls come from ! just when i thought it was safe to go on line again, a 38 year old going on 8 years old with 0 capacity for compassion and the mentality of a slug makes an absolutely demonic comment about wearing a Go Pro to get footage of this sad tragedy ! and don't even bother trying to be tough or sarcastic with me cause you are not worth my wasting another second on - no better than shit on my shoe...
To be honest I really think that security from this club should stopped him from jumping from the balcony. There's no excuse for his partying buddies either,when my friend is drunk and he's doing some crazy shit around the club I feel responsible to gain control of the situation and make him stop or get him out of the place...
I saw that pool and it seems to be pretty hard for a person to hit the concrete around the swimming pool,if not being drunk or something.
I heard rumors, that security tried to stop him, and that was the problem. The pool is so close to the balcony, even if he would have been drunk like hell he should not have missed it. There are people who said, that a security guy tried to grap him or even grap him in the air and made him hit the concrete.
But I don't have any proof for this, nor did I see it. But there are many people saying this, who were around. Would be good to know, and if tru they should put this f*cking security guy to jail for the rest of his life for killing Dane.
Anyways: RIP Dane Searls - it was a pleasure to meet you in person back in 2010!!
I saw the photos too. Something had gone really wrong because this was no "stunt" at all. It was like jumping from the 5 meter tower into water. If the security guard story is true I really dont wanna be in the skin of this guard.
Mate the security guard was just doing his job. He didn't kill Dane, Dane killed Dane. His love for adrenalin and doing stunts turned out to be the death of him. Yes its sad that he is gone but you cant go blaming the security guard.
I think you put this people on too high of a pedestal. They're just people who happen to be pretty good at riding bikes. However, often times, they are people who, for lack of a more elegant way of saying it, are dumb. Scientific studies have proven that adolescent males have a lower capacity for evaluating risks. I think that's why we see so many young, talented riders. Their diminished capacity for evaluating the risks of what they are doing allows them to push their limits and develop skills without the second-guessing and apprehension that most of us face when doing dangerous things. Some people mature in time before before statistics catch up to them, and tone down their lifestyle, taking only more acceptable risks. Others don't. Darwinism is ruthless.
@stever : while i pretty much agree with you, but, AT THIS TIME somehow your attempt to educate us all on the 'ruthlessness of Darwinism' is lost when suggesting Dane was 'dumb' and is akin to going to someones funeral and stating the same in the presence of so many who loved him regardless of his youthful exuberance that caused this tragedy...so while your puffed up scholarly comment may be appreciated by some cerebral intellectual hoodlum, to most of us, your comment was unecessary and is the dumbest of all, ergo, Darwin has a place even in your life.
god bless you Dane - too soon...so young : and i rest my case as to all the self righteous comments posted from some, about him being stupid jumping off the balcony - we have all made mistakes and i have made a zillion similar to his but learned from them, as he would have no doubt - we all need to take a moment and consider the brilliance of his life and the inspiration of his legacy on a Bike before passing judgment; wisdom ONLY comes from making mistakes...the Creator has His/Her reason for taking Dane before this opportunity was given to Him - a moment of love for a brothers passing...
Yea it makes me so mad at him. It's easy to say 'he should have known better' but dying at a shit pub on the gold coast of all places from being a drunk hero is just such a crying shame.
I was absolutely destroyed when I heard the news, Dane was such a legend and had so much to give the sport, he'll be missed by everyone. My thoughts and prayers go to his family, Ride on up there man, a place where the trails are always dry and the winds are favourable is where you are im sure
Ok,. I will comment again. RIP DANE! I talked about Dane at a 12 step meeting today. About the possible use of Alcohol and its effects. Im not pushing this here. Thats not the point. The point is that Dane's name and reputation are being expressed after his death as a great man. He really influenced allot of people. Now a newer group of people know of him that would not have known before. The room was silent after I told this tragic story. They were really listening.!! I was choked up... I had to stop talking.. I was very proud at that moment to belong to a community of such fine outstanding people like Dane and everyone here at Pink Bike...
Wow, that is terrible! I worked at another club on the gold coast about a year ago, and a very similar thing happened. Another 2 people fell from a bar and died, same city, just down the street. It was totally horrific. I feel for everyone who is effected by his passing. RIP
rest in peace dane you were an amazing person an amazing rider... my heart goes out to your family and close friends.... was a amazing experince meeting you you were so laid back had time for every one you will be dearly missed bye every one on the bike scene... much love mate
From the sounds of things, he was injured at the end of one of the best days of his life. It doesn't take away from the tragedy of the his passing but it few people are able to go out on such a high. RIP Dane, you'll be missed.
just another not needed loss of a great biker that inspired the next group of of pros to come and i know that he inspired me to ride and you can define the laws of gravity on a bike that if u try your hardest u will always have fun but unfortanetly he may of had to much fun the night of the accident but he was my idol and still is
R.I.P. Dane, it seems like the ones on top of their game get taken away too soon. I would of love to see what he would have done next, thanks for what you did bring to biking game and enjoyed watching you go BIG and motivating others to keep trying!
To the close family and friends of Dane, I hope your journey to happier times will be quick, and the amazing memories of him will be slow in parting! He was an innovator and an inspiration to all fans of biking!
REST INN PEACE DANE... Damn, I didnt knw u personally but I definitely Respected u as anotha rydah. Had I been there dat day/nite there's NO WAY in hell I wud of jus sat by & watched u attempt wht u did especially if u had been drinkin !... May those who were w/ u learn from dis sadd tragedy... RestInnPeace & keep rydin*
i remember when i first started bmx riding and my freind showed me kings of dirt and i prommised myself that oneday i would be as good as that guy now he his dead bmx seems a darker sport but his memory in my opinion will be the thing keeping me on my bike till my judgment day comes.rest in peace dane searls the true king of dirt.
Dane was a true legend, He was fearless on and off the bike, a real shame his fearlessness off the bike turned out to be his downfall. Ride in Peace, I hope the gaps are as sick in Heaven, Keep shredding in the sky. You will be sorely missed.
I am not a religeous man but none of us can realy know what happens "after" I like to believe that you are riding a bike and doing the things you loved to do in life, I hope that people who read of this terriblle news consider it a lesson unto themselves to embrace life and live it to its fullest.
R.I.P Dane. You were really the best (according to me) ..so sad to see another biker pass , sad to see such talent die. your influence has honestly changed bmx forever... R.I.p dane searls
On a bike, hes indestructible. He should have jumped that pool with a bike. Such a waste of talent. I even wanted to see you ride a MTB. RIP Dane Sears.
You will be missed pal that's for sure...regards to your Family! I don't know you but you seem to be a Cool guy. May you Rest in peace! Condolence to your loved ones! From all of us here in UK.
I am utterly speechless, I thought and hoped that he would pull through, Rest in Peace Dane, you will be missed, our hearts go out to your family and friends!
You know what, this just shows how abusing alchohol leads to death. No matter how big a jump he can flip. He died doing something stupid, instead of something he truely loved. RIP Dane..
Dane Searls is a complete boss. he owned those jumps and completely owned dirt jumping with in bmx, no one even came close to touching his. his legacy will always live on
Although I didn't hear of this guy before as I ride downhill. Its just shocking seeing him in this video up above, being happy and living life and knowing that hes gone now is just shocking..
Rest in peace and may you ride forever. You have motivated me so much with your immeasurable contribution too the sport of bmx and extreme sports as a whole. You will be missed and may you never be forgotten
Thank you thatcher....not to be an a*shole tho, but come on....he jumped off a balcony into a pool..... Theres always a chance ur not gonna make it... Yea its sad he died, but he was askin to get hurt....
To the man who helped spur the sport to new heights... may you ride those endless lines where all the lips are fat and the landings plush. Rest in Peace.
so sad that so much talent is lost. just goes to show that things that seem harmless can go wrong fast. my thoughts are going out to his friends,family and fans.
RIP Dane. I never met you, but you seemed like an amazing person, and you were clearly a fantastic rider. It's tragic that you had to leave us so soon.
Hope they got some unreal size of dirts in heaven ....... because if not .... dane will be missing them. Ride in peace Dane ..... ull allways be my biggest hero.
up to this point every other comment here was filled with love and respect for Dane and His family, but no you couldn't just leave it alone could you, had to try and be cute w/ a brainfart Darwin comment - you win the troll of the year idiot ! keep that kind of 'witless' comment for yourself.
you won't be forgotten
