X Games Crash Causes Death From Brain Complications

The X Games suffered its first fatal accident in its 18 year history.  Snowmobile rider Caleb Moore was attempting a backflip in the freestyle event in Aspen last week when the skis on his 450-pound snowmobile caught the lip of the landing area, sending him flying over the handlebars. Moore landed face first into the snow with his snowmobile rolling over him. According to news reports, the injured athlete stayed down for quite some time, before walking off with help and going to a hospital to be treated for a concussion.  Moore developed bleeding around his heart and was flown to a hospital for surgery. The family later said that Moore also had a complication involving his brain. Click here to read more.

Given the extreme nature of the X Games, it is remarkable that there have not been prior fatalities.  The producers of these events are to be commended for this record, but any loss in sports is to be grieved and cause for exploring prevention of future fatalities.  As a child, my friends and I used to get towed in a toboggan behind our neighbor’s snowmobile.  No helmets, no padding and no ability to steer.  And, when it was particularly cold, our eyes would water and we could not even see where we were going.  While it was great fun, we were lucky to escape permanent injury.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Moore family.