Motocross rider breaks back in Long Beach leap
Thursday, January 18, 2007
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(01-18) 10:10 PST Long Beach, Calif. (AP) --
A motocross rider who set a record by backflipping over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas broke a bone in his lower back while stunt-jumping near the Queen Mary.
Mike Metzger, 31, was hurt Wednesday after he completed a backflip over a 75-foot gap between two barges. The stunt was being taped for the Discovery Channel show "Stunt Junkies."
"He did the backflip, but when he landed, he landed hard on the back wheels of his bike and hurt his back," Discovery Channel spokesman Andrew Scafetta said. "He fractured his L-4 vertebra. He's doing fine, but he will be in the hospital for a couple of days."
"He was doing well and was cheerful, considering the nature of his injury," city fire Capt. Mike Duree said.
Metzger's dirt bike went into the water and had to be retrieved by divers.
In May, Metzger jumped 125 feet over the fountains at Caesars Palace, becoming the first person to compete a backflip over the landmark.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Printable Version
Email This Article
(01-18) 10:10 PST Long Beach, Calif. (AP) --
A motocross rider who set a record by backflipping over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas broke a bone in his lower back while stunt-jumping near the Queen Mary.
Mike Metzger, 31, was hurt Wednesday after he completed a backflip over a 75-foot gap between two barges. The stunt was being taped for the Discovery Channel show "Stunt Junkies."
"He did the backflip, but when he landed, he landed hard on the back wheels of his bike and hurt his back," Discovery Channel spokesman Andrew Scafetta said. "He fractured his L-4 vertebra. He's doing fine, but he will be in the hospital for a couple of days."
"He was doing well and was cheerful, considering the nature of his injury," city fire Capt. Mike Duree said.
Metzger's dirt bike went into the water and had to be retrieved by divers.
In May, Metzger jumped 125 feet over the fountains at Caesars Palace, becoming the first person to compete a backflip over the landmark.
