Snowmobile Contestant Caleb Moore Dies of Injuries. First Death Ever at X-Games. [Video]

Moore was only 25.  The former ATV racer was at the top of his sport, clinching four Winter X games medals in the past.  He was the older brother of Colten Moore, who won the gold medal in the sport just last year.

During the competition, Caleb was performing a superman backflip on his snowmobile when he under rotated.  This caused the snowmobile’s front end to stick in the snow, thus throwing Caleb over the front handle bars.

As you watch the accident (video clip below) the fall seems standard, but then you notice the 450 pound snowmobile lands on top of Moore.  He is knocked unconscious but is able to walk away.  The fact that a rider walks away on his own gives temporary relief to the crowd, but Moore’s injuries were internal….and severe.

After Caleb was taken to the hospital for a concussion he developed bleeding around his heart and had to be flown to a hospital in Grand Junction for surgery.  There were also some complications that involved his brain.

He died Thursday morning.  The first death in the history of the X-Games.

MOORE’S BROTHER ALSO INJURED

Moore’s younger brother Colten was also injured in the event, and suffered a separated pelvis.

Fellow contestants that knew Moore described him as a fierce competitor.  Rider Levi LaVallee, said regarding Moore,

I’ve watched him try some crazy, crazy tricks and some of them were successful, some of them not so much. But he was first guy to get back on a sled and go try it again. It shows a lot of heart.”

X games officials said that they would review the snowmobile events but insist that there will always be risks as long as there are 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,”

Moore’s family says that they are truly grateful for all the prayers and support they received from around the world.  Below is footage of the accident.

Video is after the jump….

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