Coach Dies In Freak Accident: Marion Adams Impaled Into Half-Opened Gate Several Inches Into Stomach, Rio Linda High School Students And Athlete Mourn Death

Rio Linda High School's track and football coach Marion Adams has died in a freak accident on Monday. The beloved 59-year-old high school coach turned to wave at a student when he crashed into a large yellow car-park barrier, impaling the half-opened gate several inches into his stomach.

Students witnessed in horror and tried to save his life, but finally succumbed to his injuries. In a statement Rio Linda Knights supporters club President, Mark Manning, said: "This was a terrible loss, not just to those connected to the school but to the entire community. Marion was a man of solid strength and very good-natured. A man of honor who put 100% into improving our world by teaching our children both on the field and off."

Adam's son Joe Adams told CBS Sacramento, "It's like a nightmare. I keep waiting to wake up, just hasn't hit me all the way." The popular coach's brother David Adams told a local newspaper that he loved working with children and was a great teacher and coach in the community and high school, "Marion loved kids, loved seeing them do well. He absolutely loved Rio Linda. He gave up a job that paid really well to teach and coach at his favorite school." David added, "So many people hung out for the night in the hospital. I knew what kind of man he was - he's my brother - but to see all that love and support really moved us. We're all feeling this."

Grief counselors are helping students at the school while hundreds attended a vigil for the coach last night.