TORONTO — A B.C. man will remain in a Hamilton, Ont. hospital for at least a week after crashing his motorbike during a freestyle motocross show on Friday night.
Bruce Cook, 26, was seriously injured while attempting a double front flip during the Nitro Circus Live event at Copps Coliseum. Video of the crash shows the Kelowna native falling off the motorbike and slamming into the ramp.
The stunt rider underwent three hours of surgery on his back on Saturday morning. Details of his injuries have not been made public.
Cook later posted a message on Facebook thanking fans for their support.
“I am absolutely blown away by all the messages and well wishes. It has literally taken me hours to make it through most of them and appreciate every one of them,” he wrote.
Cook said his parents are at his side “helping keep spirits high.”
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Cook is owner of Global FMX, a team of motocross riders who have performed around the world. According to the company website, “Although the sport appears to be dangerous the athletes are top riders in the world with years of experience and are able to execute all the latest freestyle motocross tricks (including the back flip) with ease.”
Friday’s show was the first time Cook had attempted the double front flip in front of an audience. He used a ramp built for Paris Rosen, a freestyle motocross pro who developed the stunt in 2012.
In an interview with ESPN last year, Rosen said of the jump: “One interesting thing I learned in the development of the trick is that with all the centrifugal force involved: the rider and bike try to separate almost immediately. So I need to squeeze my bike from the moment I leave the ramp until I bring the second rotation around.”
Hamilton was the first stop on a 13-city tour for Nitro Circus Live (and the only Canadian date). The show will continue without Cook, who is expected to remain at Hamilton General Hospital for at least a week before returning to B.C. to recover.
BELOW: Watch Bruce Cook attempt a double front flip at Nitro Circus Live in Hamilton, Ont. WARNING: VIDEO MAY BE DISTURBING TO SOME VIEWERS.
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