A coach has died in a freak accident after being impaled on a school gate as he was leaving from practice.

The coach was Marion Adams, and was a hugely popular figure in Rio Linda High School in California. Adams was a multimedia teacher as well as a track and field coach.

The tragic accident took place on Monday night when he had helped run a practice for a group of high school kids. He was leaving as he normally does on his bicycle when he reportedly turned to wave goodbye to a student. However, he took his eyes off of where he was going for just a split moment, and that mistake ended in tragedy.

Adams ended up riding his bike into a gate at the high school, and he apparently flipped over on top of the gate impaling himself in a gory and shocking accident.

The incident stunned other school teachers and students who were at the scene. In the immediate aftermath some eye witnesses believed that he would be ok as he was nodding as people spoke to him and many thought he would pull through.

He was rushed to hospital where two surgeries were carried out on him in an attempt to save his life, however, he tragically passed away from his injuries soon after on Tuesday morning.

News of the death has sparked an outpouring of mourning and prayers for his family from the local school community and authorities.

Mike Morris, the school’s varsity football team coach and athletic director, has offered a statement to the Sacramento Bee, saying: "Marion was the most popular and nicest man on campus; just a great guy. It's a huge loss, devastating to our community.”

Hundreds attended a vigil in his honor on Tuesday night.