Ice Bucket Challenge Death: Cameron Lancaster of Scotland the First to Die in Connection to Challenge?

Ice Bucket Challenge Death: Cameron Lancaster of Scotland the First to Die in Connection to Challenge?
FILE - This Aug. 18, 2014 file photo shows Spirt Airlines President and CEO, Ben Baldanza taking the Ice Bucket Challenge at the company’s Miramar, Fla. headquarters. Baldanza said he lost his mother to ALS and wanted to help support the Florida Chapter of the ALS Association. The phenomenal success of the fundraising craze is making charitable organizations rethink how they connect with a younger generation of potential donors, specifically through social media. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)
Jack Phillips
8/27/2014
Updated:
7/18/2015

Cameron Lancaster, a Scottish teenager, may have been the first death related to the Ice Bucket Challenge, which seeks to raise donations for ALS.

British media outlets reported that Lancaster’s body was discovered Preston Hill Quarry in Inverkeithing, Fife.

The 18-year-old apparently jumped off a cliff into deep water, and the incident is being labeled as the “first ice bucket challenge death.”

It was claimed he jumped into the water after being asked to do the challenge, which involves participants pouring buckets of ice water over their heads.

“Cameron died in a tragic accident. His death is such a great loss,” his family said in a statement, reported the Daily Mail. “During his short life, he touched so many people with his friendliness, kindness and thoughtful generosity of spirit. He will be hugely missed by his family and friends.”

The statement added: “The family are finding it hard to come to terms with this sudden loss and would ask for privacy at this sad time.”

A police spokesperson also said that “inquiries are under way to establish the full circumstances of what happened and Police Scotland’s thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, he took part in the challenge before he jumped off the cliffs.

Wilma Sutherland, 41, told the paper he saw police, the fire department, and an ambulance rush to the scene.

“I’ve seen lots of teenagers jumping in,” she said. “This is a really tragic set of circumstances. I feel so sorry for the family.”

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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