HOBART, IN (THECOUNT) — Oliver Ball‑Rees, 13, of Hebron, Indiana, died Saturday after suffering fatal injuries at a BMX track operated by the volunteer organization Steel Wheels BMX in Hobart, the Lake County Coroner’s Office and the BMX organization confirmed.
Authorities said emergency responders were notified at approximately 10:24 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, that Ball‑Rees had been transported from the BMX track to St. Mary’s Medical Center under full police escort. He was pronounced deceased at 9:59 p.m. by an emergency room physician. The coroner reported multiple blunt force injuries, and the manner of death was ruled an accident.
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In a Sunday statement, Steel Wheels BMX said the community was mourning the loss of the young rider and that the organization was providing support to his family. “Today, our Steel Wheels BMX community is mourning the loss of one of our riders … our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Mary and Phil, as well as his younger brother Ellis, with whom he raced alongside for the past eight years,” the organization said. “We are all gutted by this horrible tragedy and will be doing everything we can to support Oliver’s family as they navigate this sudden and shocking loss.”
Steel Wheels BMX is a long‑standing volunteer‑run, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting BMX racing and riding throughout Northwest Indiana. Founded in 2000 by a group of parents seeking a safe environment for children to ride and race bikes in an organized setting, the group operates two USA BMX‑sanctioned tracks: a 40,000‑square‑foot indoor facility in Hobart and an outdoor track at Imagination Glen in Portage.
The organization’s indoor facility, located at 709 North Hobart Road in Hobart, hosts races, practice nights, clinics, and special events primarily during the winter season. The outdoor track at Imagination Glen operates in collaboration with the Portage Parks and Recreation Department, offering practice sessions, races, camps, full concession facilities, and picnic areas from late spring through early fall.
Both facilities are sanctioned by USA BMX — the national sanctioning body for BMX racing in the United States — meaning events held at these tracks adhere to the organization’s competitive and safety standards, and riders often participate in regional and national races that contribute to rider points and standings. Documented race events at the Hobart indoor track have included state qualifiers and local competitions as recently as 2025.
BMX (Bicycle Motocross) racing is structured around tracks that include jumps, banked turns, and straightaways where riders compete head‑to‑head. Sanctioned BMX tracks, like those run by Steel Wheels BMX, are designed with an emphasis on organized racing and rider progression, and typically host riders of all ages and skill levels in competition and practice environments.
Oliver Ball‑Rees was reportedly an active participant within this community and had spent years riding and competing at events and practices offered by Steel Wheels BMX. The organization said it had remained in ongoing communication with the family and thanked the broader BMX community for respecting the family’s privacy during a difficult time.
Multiple BMX organizations across the Midwest and beyond responded to the news with condolences. Groups such as Fort Wayne BMX and The Hill BMX in Elgin shared messages of sympathy, emphasizing support for the family and the community of riders affected by the loss.
Officials have not released further details regarding the specifics of the accident or any ongoing inquiries into how the incident occurred. Local law enforcement, including the Hobart Police Department and Lake County authorities, responded to the incident and worked with emergency medical personnel at the scene and at the hospital.
Ball‑Rees’ death has resonated with families involved in youth sports and BMX racing throughout the region, highlighting both the passion athletes and their families invest in the sport and the inherent risks associated with high‑speed racing and track competition.
No additional information about funeral arrangements or memorial services for Oliver Ball‑Rees has been released.
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