Caleb Moore, First X Games Fatal Accident

Four-time Winter X Games medalist and snowmobile rider Caleb Moore died Thursday morning. Serious heart and brain complications that derived from a snowmobile jump during the final games caused his death.  In its eighteen-year history in both winter and summer events, this is the first fatal accident the X Games experiences.

On his first run during the finals 25-year-old Moore failed to land a back flip with his snowmobile and the two front sleds got caught on the landing ramp. He was forcibly ejected over the handlebars and slammed onto the ground. His face hit first and was knocked unconscious, and then the snowmobile landed on top of him.

Medical personnel and staff rushed to rescue the fallen snowmobile rider.

Once regaining consciousness, Moore told medical professionals that he was feeling worst and was transported to a local hospital.

Doctors discovered Moore had internal bleeding around his heart and immediately had him airlifted to a different hospital at Grand Junction, Colorado. There they performed emergency surgery on the athlete Friday morning, nearly a week before his death. The snowmobiler then sustained a heart contusion and remained in intensive care. The situation gradually escalated when the heart condition caused brain complications that led to Moore’s death.

From Krum, Texas, Moore is already missed by his family.

“He will be truly missed and never forgotten. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for all the prayers and support they have received from all the fans, friends and family around the world that Caleb has inspired,” Moore’s family stated in a release.

ESPN, the network that hosts the X Games also had something to say regarding the incident and their future plans to improve the safety of the event.

“We are deeply saddened by Caleb Moore’s passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Wade and Michelle, his brother, Colten, and the entire Moore family. He will be remembered for his natural passion for life and his deep love for his family and friends, and he will always be an inspiration to everyone he touched in the action sports community.

“As a result of this accident we will conduct a thorough review of this discipline and adopt any appropriate changes to future X Games.

“For 18 years we have worked closely on safety issues with athletes, course designers and other experts. Still, when the world’s best compete at the highest level in any sport, risks remain. Caleb was a four-time X Games medalist attempting a move he has landed several times previously.”

There is a high potential for injury in almost any major competitive sport. At AA Accident Attorneys, we understand that not everything works out as intended and you or a loved one could be seriously injured at a sporting event. If you have been injured at a sporting event feel free to contact our personal injury lawyers 24 hours a day 7 days a week for a free consultation.

Tagged