Snowmobiler Caleb Moore in Critical Condition After Winter X Games Crash
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RJ Sangosti / The Denver Post/Getty Images(GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.) — Texas snowmobiler Caleb Moore remains in critical condition days after his snowmobile flipped on top of him in a violent crash during competition at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo.
“Just let me say that Caleb is still critical but he is definitely fighting, it’s time for you prayer warriors to fight too,” Moore’s mother, Michele Moore, wrote on her Facebook profile Monday night.
The 25-year-old medal-winning athlete from Krum, Texas, developed serious complications after suffering an accident Thursday night during the Snowmobile Freestyle finals. Moore was completing a backflip when he came up short and the skis on his sled slammed into the landing, causing it to flip end-over-end.
Moore went over the handlebars of the still-rotating, 450-pound machine and it came crashing down on top of him. He tumbled down the slope for a several feet before coming to a stop at the bottom, where he lay motionless for a few minutes.
Moore eventually got up and walked off the course with help, but he was rushed to Aspen Valley Hospital with a concussion. There, doctors discovered bleeding around Moore’s heart ,and he was flown to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo.
Doctors at St. Mary’s performed emergency heart surgery Friday on Moore, who since has been recovering in intensive care. But on Sunday, the Moore family released a statement through ESPN saying “his cardiac injury has led to a secondary complication involving his brain.”
Family spokeswoman Chelsea Lawson Monday said in a statement to ABC News that “Caleb is in critical condition and is being closely monitored.”
“The Moores want to express their gratitude to all of Caleb’s fans, friends and family for their strong support and ask for continued prayers in the coming days,” the statement continued.
Moore’s younger brother Colten Moore, 23, also competed in the Snowmobile Freestyle finals and crashed during the X Games competition. He was taken to the hospital with a separated pelvis but was released on Friday and “will not require surgery,” according to Lawson.
Michele Moore posted on Facebook Saturday that Colten made it to St. Mary’s Hospital to be with his brother.
Both Moore brothers are decorated Winter X Games veterans, who made their debut in competitive snowmobiling in 2010 in Aspen after years of racing ATVs.
Caleb won freestyle snowmobile bronze medals at the 2010 and 2011 Winter X Games. He took home the silver medal in the best trick snowmobile competition at last year’s games, and stood next to his brother Colton on the podium, who had snagged gold.
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