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Headford, 20, who is from Helps, collided with a cable in midair during a high-flying ramp-to-ramp routine at the Elf Khurafeh Shrine Circus, then plummeted about 30 feet to the ground. He is being treated at Covenant HealthCare in Saginaw and underwent surgery Monday.
"Doctors surgically repaired Josh's right femur and right elbow," Scott Murray, Headford's manager and friend, told the Free Press today, as he traveled from Green Bay, Wis., to be with Headford after performing in a monster truck show. "He also has a fractured scapular and wrist, but these should heal on their own."
Murray, a veteran FMX freestyle competitor, said the crash "was very unfortunate."
"We are quite upset about the whole incident," said Murray, who said Headford was standing in for another rider at the show. "It's very disturbing. He did eight shows during the week, and everything had gone spectacular. It wasn't his first go at this. It was his last performance, and Josh counted on the track crew to move the cable.
"Josh's recovery may take four to six months. He may have permanent damage to the elbow. He'll move forward, and his spirits are up, but the whole thing is unfortunate. We're weighing all our options right now and hope the Shrine Circus will do the right thing by Josh."
Headford told the Associated Press before his surgery that he will ride again. "It's all I do. It's how I make a living."
FMX athletes perform at the X Games, among other events. On Saturday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills, many of the world’s best FMX riders will take part in the “Nuclear Cowboyz 2012” tour stop, which features daring freestyle motocross aerial feats, set in a Disney on Ice-type extravaganza.
FMX stunts, like those in “Nuclear Cowboyz,” are choreographed and rehearsed but still very dangerous. FMX legend Jeremy Lusk died while competing in a freestyle event in February 2009 in Costa Rica, and Jim McNeil was killed in while practicing for an exhibition jump in November 2011 at Texas Motor Speedway. Neither event was associated with “Nuclear Cowboyz.”
X Games medal winner and veteran freestyle rider Mike Mason, who will take part in Saturday’s “Nuclear Cowboyz” show, said the element of danger is always there in performing freestyle jumps, flips and somersaults.
“You can’t take anything for granted,” Mason, 30, told the Free Press by phone today. “There is always risk involved in freestyle competition and related shows. You just have to minimize it. You must learn to trust those you work with.”
Headford, who was wearing a helmet and pads, told the AP the cable should have been lowered or removed by circus staff.
"As soon as I saw the cable, it caught my bike, and I went flying. That was pretty much it," said Headford, who lives in Menominee County in the Upper Peninsula. "It was like hitting a brick wall. I thought I was done -- but I'm not."
He said it wasn't his responsibility to check for the cable. Circus owner Brett Carden said it's a risky business.
"What are you going to change?" Carden told The Saginaw News. "These are professionals, and they're supposed to check everything and make sure it's good to go."
Dion Mason of Saginaw said he witnessed the crash with four children.
"We thought it was part of the show," Mason told the AP. "Then there was just shock and disbelief. We were just like everyone else. We couldn't see the extent of the injuries, but we were shocked."
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source: Detroit Free Press (Brudnell, 2/7)
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