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Amanda Butterfield ReportingA BYU Idaho student died this week in Provo. He was longboarding down a hill when he crashed.
Long boarding is a growing sport in Utah and it's the steep hills riders want. It's called bombing -- you find a steep hill and go down. Riders love it, but it can be dangerous.
Shawn Vierra, Kreyton Longboards: "Everything has its dangers, everything has a risk to it."
It's sort of like skateboarding...
Shawn Vierra, Kreyton Longobards: "It's much wider, much longer."
And it's used to cross-train.
Shawn Vierra, Kreyton Longboards: "Longboarding is a cross between snowboarding and surfing."
In Provo, North Temple is a popular place to do it.
Lt. John Geyerman, Prove Police Department: They like to use the road because it's wide and can make big long turns."
Late Monday night, 21-year old Brett Neeley, a BYU Idaho student who was working in town for the summer, crashed on the road.
Lt. John Geyerman: "He was just making a turn and hit the gravel."
The accident killed him.
Lt. John Geyerman, Prove Police Depart: "He didn't have any protective gear on at all."
It's a story no longboarder wants to hear.
Shawn Vierra, Kreyton Longboards: "It's tragic, it's heartbreaking."
That's why these guys always wear helmets and gloves.
Shawn Vierra, Kreyton Longboards: "They protect yourself from crashes and slide outs."
But even still, expect to get hurt.
Spencer: "Last year I nearly burst a spleen, broke two ribs amd couldn't walk, pretty much."
You can long-board on the streets, you just have to wear reflective gear, and at night, a light. And just like when riding your bike, stay as far to the right side of the road as you can.
