A fundraising campaign has been started to support the family of a world-renowned Vancouver Island freerider who died while trail riding in Mexico on Oct. 9
Jordie Lunn suffered a fatal head injury following a crash while riding cross-country trails with friends in Cabo San Lucas.
“Jordie was transported to a local hospital and passed away in the arms of his childhood friend, Darren Berrecloth,” the family said on the fundraising page, which as of Monday morning had raised more than $46,000, surpassing the $40,000 goal.
The family was originally told the medical bills and repatriation of Lunn’s body would cost about $90,000, but an update posted to the fundraising page Friday said a new estimate put the cost significantly lower.
Friends and sponsors have also stepped up to pay some of the bills directly, lessening the financial burden on Lunn’s family.
Lunn had personal injury and life insurance, but it won’t cover all his medical bills and funeral costs because he died out of the country.
Any excess money raised will go toward causes Lunn was passionate about: coaching opportunities for young riders, biking facilities and research to improve understanding of the effect of concussions on the brain.
Lunn started his mountain biking career as a cross-country and downhill racer, before transitioning to freeriding in big-budget mountain biking films like The Collective and Roam. The third in his self-produced film series, Rough AF, has been viewed nearly a million times on YouTube.
Lunn is survived by his parents, Bonnie and Brian Lunn, his brothers Craig and Jarrett, and his girlfriend, Caitlin Larson.
