Teens killed by falling Yosemite tree limb remembered at vigil

More than 200 people gathered at Northwood High School’s pool for a candlelight vigil Tuesday night dedicated to two Orange County students killed by a falling tree limb at Yosemite National Park.

Dragon Kim and Justin Lee were members of the Northwood Water Polo Club, a group that practices at the high school’s aquatics center. When club director Steve Carrera got news of the boys’ death, he decided to open the pool for friends, teammates, classmates, teachers and coaches to grieve together.

He described the two 14-year-olds as “kids who were well-rounded” and “active in their community.”

“This could have been done in five different places,” Carrera said. “But in all my conversations with both their parents, they always said how much their sons enjoyed their time here. We wanted to do something for both boys and felt this was a good way to bring everything back home.”

The boys were longtime friends and attended Pioneer Middle School in Tustin together. Dragon, who lived in Tustin, was to attend Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana as a returning sophomore. Justin, an Irvine resident, was expected to join him in the fall.

The two were killed when a black oak limb collapsed onto them while they slept in their tent Friday in the Upper Pines Campground of Yosemite Valley. The boys were found dead by park rangers at about 5 a.m.

Park officials said it is unclear why the tree fell and the boys’ deaths remain under investigation.

Right before the poolside vigil began Tuesday evening, a club water polo practice took place in the aquatics center. As vigil attendees began to arrive, players got out of the pool, toweled off and threw on their club T-shirts and shorts. They were ready to light their candles for their teammates.

People gathered at a corner of the pool deck and passed the small flames from candle to candle.

Others left flowers under a wreath of red roses. A banner wrapped around the wreath read: “Fr: Your friends at SoCal Water Polo with deepest sympathy.”

Bobby Lee, 18, of Tustin played with Justin at SoCal Water Polo, another Orange County club, before the Justin joined Northwood.

“He was a hard worker, always listened to the coach and had a great attitude,” Lee said. “I pay my respects to his family and wish them the best of luck.”

Carrera made a microphone available for anyone who wanted to speak about Dragon and Justin. Several middle school classmates and water polo teammates shared memories of the boys.

Many wiped away tears as they spoke. Teammate Ben Chamema, 16, of Tustin held his head high and wore a gentle smile as he expressed his thoughts.

“People truly haven’t passed on until their memory has left your heart,” he told the crowd. “I know I’ll keep them in my heart.”

The two friends also were musicians.

Doug Fischer, Pioneer Middle School’s director of instrumental music, had worked with the boys during their three years at the school. Dragon played trombone and Justin played clarinet, he said.

“I know they were both looking forward to continuing their musical studies,” Fischer said. “They were the type of students who would show up first for rehearsal and were the last to leave right when I had to lock the doors.”

A former coach for both boys, Alexis Sakhel, 19, of Irvine, said dealing with the loss was going to take a while for everyone.

“It’s shocking news to take in and it’ll take a lot of time, love and support for everyone to move forward,” he said. “ I hope their families know they have a whole community here to support them.”

The boys’ immediate families did not attend the vigil because they were in mourning, attendees said.

Veronica Rocha writes for the Los Angeles Times.