53-year-old Latham Bell, a Wilson High assistant swimming coach and elementary school teacher in Long Beach, California, was killed the afternoon of Thursday, May 4th in an automobile crash.
Suffering an undisclosed medical emergency while driving to the Moore League championships meet swim meet at Cabrillo High, Bell reportedly veered off the road and crashed into a restaurant near Pacific Coast Highway and Cherry Avenue. 3 bystanders dining at the restaurant were injured but are expected to recover. Whether Bell’s death was attributed to the actual crash or the medical emergency is not know at this time.
The meet to which Coach Bell was heading was giving Wilson High an opportunity to win its 45th consecutive Moore League Swim Championships. If successful, the feat would make the team earn the record for the longest-ever streak in any sport in California.
Wilson Head Coach Eric Berg didn’t find out about Bell’s accident until after the swim meet, where the squad did indeed claim overall victory.
Of his coaching colleague, friend and fellow alumnus of Wilson High, Berg said of Bell, “He’s one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known. He was always there with a helping hand. He was a father, grandfather, mentor to a lot of kids.”
The championship meet was held as scheduled, with swimmers writing “LB” on their arms in memory of their late coach. The Wilson boys won their 45th-straight League Title, with senior and league-record breaker Mia Tedesco saying afterward “We all had a drive today to do it for him.”
Latham and I were in the same class at Wilson. I always knew he would be a great asset to the local community. I am shocked and sad to hear such bad news. My heart goes out to all the family and friends. George Webb.