By Mirembe Martina
Caleb Moore has died of injuries he sustained last week during Aspen sports event.
Moore who was 25 at the time of his death was a Winter X Games snowmobiler who suffered internal bleeding around his heart in addition to a brain injury. Moore incurred the injuries after his vehicle, weighing 450 pounds failed to complete a flip off and hit atop his head and chest area. His death has brought caution to the X Games in regard to their safety.
This however is the first death in the X Games 18 year history.
Confirming his death, family spokeswoman, Chelsea Lawson said, “He lived his life to the fullest. He was an inspiration.” Moore won four Winter X Games medals, including a bronze last season when his younger brother, Colten, took the
In a statement which was released on Thursday, ESPN revealed a review in the sport to ensure safety at a later stage. “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,” it said.
Caleb Moore’s family in a statement showed their gratitude to everyone who had helped them in their trying time. “He will be truly missed and never forgotten,” the Moore family statement said. “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.”
The accident happened when Moore was attempting a backflip 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. He stayed down for quite some time, before walking off with help and going to a hospital to be treated for a concussion. He later developed bleeding around his heart and was flown to a hospital in Grand Junction for surgery.
Condolence messages from people showed how much Moore will be missed. New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow said, “So sad to hear about the passing of snowmobiler Caleb Moore. My prayers go out to his younger brother Colten & their entire family.” Freestyle skier Kaya Turski said “The spirit of Caleb Moore will be floating among us forever. RIP.”
He died yesterday, Thursday.
