WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A Norwegian man on a cross‑country rollerblading trip died after being found critically injured along a Kansas roadway, according to the Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said it happened on Country Club Road near Morris Drive, northeast of Salina.
An off‑duty first responder driving in the area noticed some items scattered across the road and stopped to investigate. The first responder found Joachim Lanham, 24, unresponsive in a ditch and called 911 while beginning first aid.
Lanham was taken by emergency medical services to a Salina hospital, then transferred to a Wichita hospital, where he died from his injuries on Sept. 11, the sheriff’s office said.
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While deputies were working to determine what happened, an 82‑year‑old woman drove up to the scene. She told investigators she had been driving in her SUV and believed she hit something, but she did not see anything at the time and continued home.
Lanham had been rollerblading across the United States, according to a post on his Facebook account. His journey began in New York City. He was headed to Los Angeles at the time of his death.
The post said Lanham was in a medically induced coma at Wesley Medical Center for six days before he died with family present.
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A prolific rollerblader, Lanham had rollerbladed throughout Europe and most recently completed a 3,417-mile cross-country journey across Australia. He traveled from Sydney on Australia’s east coast, journeying across the continent’s famous barren Outback to Perth on the western coast.
The sheriff’s office said the case has been referred to the Saline County Attorney’s Office to determine what, if any, charges will be filed.
