By Nigel Maxwell

P.A. arts community rallies behind local musician

May 22, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Support has been pouring in for a young Prince Albert musician, involved in a terrible accident last week in the city.

Jake Diehl, 17, was run over by a jeep last Thursday, after losing control on his longboard. LJ Tyson Kimbley has worked with Diehl, and had even just booked him for a gig.

“I feel like the best way to describe Jake is that he is a superstar. I mean he’s got incredible talent and he’s such a great energy and he’s a joy to watch on stage,” Kimbley said.

In the days following the accident, a closed website page was created to help keep Diehl’s friends and family informed about his condition. According to the last update, Diehl was still in hospital in a medically induced coma, and was getting support with breathing. The good news was he did not suffer any lung or spinal damage. Kimbley said he was shocked when he heard what happened to his friend. 

“I feel like that’s what makes him so relatable and so awesome because you feel like you’re talking to a friend. You don’t feel like you’re talking to this incredibly talented guy, he’s just Jake,” Kimbley said.

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Another Prince Albert musician, Lucy James, had the opportunity to teach Diehl and has helped to promote him.

“Jake is a positive, bright, attentive and respectful student. He is very creative and puts the work in to write good songs and become a better musician,” she said.

Much like Kimbley, James said she was also shocked when she heard what had happened.

“I was instantly heartbroken and thought of his mom — being a mom, myself. She raised a really good kid with so much going for him and I really hope for his full recovery,” James said.

Friends of Diehl have set up a GoFundMe campaign to help assist the family with medical expenses.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell