Snowmobile freestyle rider Caleb Moore died Thursday morning after succumbing to injuries sustained in a crash during the Snowmobile Freestyle Final on the first day of X Games Aspen 2013 in Colorado, America.
The 25-year-old American attempted an indy air back-flip during his first run in the Snowmobile Freestyle Final on January 24. However, the skis of his sled gouged into the snow after he under-rotated the trick, consequently throwing him face-first straight
into the snow while his snowmobile, weighing roughly 450 pounds, crashed down on him.
Moore had lain motionless and unconscious in that position for a few minutes. He eventually regained consciousness, got to his feet and waved to the crowd before walking off the course to get further medical evaluation.
As the Texan-based rider developed bleeding around his heart, he was transported to a hospital in Grand Junction for surgery.
However, he lost the battle against his injuries and his death was eventually confirmed by the family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson on Thursday.
"He lived his life to the fullest. He was an inspiration," Lawson said.
Moore’s death marks the first loss of life in the 18-year history of ESPN-hosted X Games, which is regarded as the biggest action sports event of the year.
An innovative freestyle snowmobile rider, Caleb made his first appearance in Winter X Games in 2010 and wasted no time in announcing himself as a force to be reckoned with after clinching the bronze medal in Snowboard Freestyle contest.
He returned to Aspen in 2011 to walk away with not, but two X Games medals, a silver and a bronze.
2012 featured yet another impressive performance by the American rider, allowing him to grow his X Games medal collection even more by adding another bronze to it.
There is no doubt Moore was looking to make another solid impact in this year’s event, though it ended up costing him his life.
Expressing their condolences, X Games officials said that the Krum-based rider would be remembered "for his natural passion for life and his deep love for his family and friends."
Moore’s death is indeed a huge loss for his family, friends, fans and action sports itself.
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