Levi Sherwood critically injured during Nitro Circus Live show practice in Las Vegas
The Freestyle Motocross (FMX) rider from New Zealand, Levi Sherwood, sustained serious injuries during a practice session with the FMX legend, Travis Pastrana, for the Nitro Circus Live show in Grand Arena MGM in Las Vegas, USA, on Saturday, June 4th.
The 19-year-old rider’s bike shifted into neutral during takeoff on the intimidating ramp-to-ramp setup which resulted in a failure to make the ground. As a result, he was forced to eject his bike and make a crash landing, which led to a couple of broken
bones in his left wrist, fracturing of two vertebrae, as well as a tear in the liver and bruised lungs.
The medics found him to be critically injured on first examination, so he was rushed to a hospital where he received immediate attention from the doctors. He was later shifted to intensive care, where he is currently receiving treatment.
The long list of critical injuries has forced him out of action for at least two-to-three months, which will make him miss out on most of the competition season. While he is disappointed over the crash, he still feels fortunate to get away with only as much
injuries as the nature of the crash could have caused an even worse damage.
Speaking to a reporter of a leading sports network, he said, “It's FMX: S--- happens. My back is what hurts the most and I know I'm lucky it wasn't worse.”
The optimistic attitude is really commendable, especially when he was swiftly climbing the ladder of success and planned on adding a few more achievements to his career. He was confirmed to participate in the upcoming X Games that kick off in Los Angeles
in the final week of July. He was also enjoying an impressive 2011 Red Bull X-Fighter tour so far, currently sharing the fourth place with Dany Torres. With X Games 17 and the next stop of 2011 Red bull X-Fighters tour just around the corner, Sherwood could
not have had sustained the serious injuries at a worse time.
“Obviously I'm disappointed,” said Sherwood. “After talking with my doctors this morning I don't think I'll realistically be back on my bike for two or three months. It's just been one of those years this year and things haven't gone my way, but I'm trying
not to get too broken up about it: I'm only 19 so I know there will be plenty more opportunities to come.”
A silver medallist in X Game 2010, the Palmerston North-based FMX rider’s dream of making yet another solid impact in the X Games and put another medal on his mantle-piece may have been put on hold for now, but one can expect him to make a strong comeback
next season to continue what he had started last year.
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