Vegas ‘daredevil’ injured in ‘AGT: Extreme’ stunt

Jonathan Goodwin, “The Daredevil” of Las Vegas whose “AGT: Extreme” enactment went horribly awry this week, astir precocious performed arsenic a broadside enactment successful “Fantasy” astatine Luxor and has been featured successful “The Illusionists” accumulation owned by Cirque du Soliel.

“AGT” officials confirmed Goodwin’s incident, which unfolded Thursday during rehearsals for the stunt show, successful a connection Friday.

“During a rehearsal past evening for ‘America’s Got Talent: Extreme,’ an mishap occurred successful which flight creator Jonathan Goodwin was injured portion performing his act,” a spokesperson for the amusement said successful a statement. “He was responsive and was instantly taken to the infirmary wherever helium is continuing to person aesculapian care. Our thoughts and prayers spell retired to him and his household arsenic we await further updates connected his condition.”

According to aggregate reports, led initially by TMZ, Goodwin was earnestly injured successful an “AGT: Live” enactment portion taping astatine Atlanta Motor Speedway. Goodwin was suspended astir 70 feet precocious successful a straitjacket, hanging upside-down by his feet, arsenic 2 cars were besides suspended astatine his sides. The cars were to plaything backmost and forth, with Goodwin freeing himself, past falling to an aerial mattress. The cars would past collide.

But the enactment went incorrect arsenic the cars collided with Goodwin inactive successful between, the vehicles bursting into fire. He was reportedly airlifted to a section infirmary for surgery. There has been nary update to his information since the “AGT” statement.

“AGT: Extreme” was announced this period arsenic the latest offshoot of the “America’s Got Talent” franchise. WWE combatant Nikki Bella, action-sports prima Travis Pastrana and bid creator Simon Cowell will service arsenic judges. Terry Crews volition beryllium the host. Also, the highly anticipated “America’s Got Talent: Live” signifier amusement is acceptable to unfastened Nov. 5 astatine Luxor.

A Las Vegas resident, Goodwin astir precocious performed successful “Fantasy” during the show’s relaunch astatine Luxor. He departed the amusement successful September to prosecute “AGT: Live,” past had told friends helium planned to execute successful the caller Cirque amusement opening successful January astatine the erstwhile Zumanity Theater astatine New York-New York (that amusement is not yet cast).

Goodwin, sometimes called an “escapeologist” besides reached the semifinals of Season 15 of “AGT” past year. He is known for his extreme-danger performances. He precocious with a occurrence act, releasing himself from a suit of padlocks and shackles arsenic flames raced implicit his body. At the time, Goodwin noted the regular was not astir arsenic death-defying arsenic it should person been, due to the fact that upwind knocked down the flames.

“You privation it to beryllium the biggest spectacular it tin be, but this tin hap erstwhile you are connected unrecorded TV and moving with the elements,” Goodwin said. “There could person been, and should person been, much fire. Two hours earlier we were expected to bash it, the aerial was inactive and perfect, truthful it muted however spectacular it was.”

John Katsilometes’ file runs regular successful the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast tin beryllium recovered astatine reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him astatine jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats connected Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 connected Instagram.