KEY POINTS
- Jonathan Goodwin was severely injured while performing an escape act on the Georgia set of "America's Got Talent: Extreme"
- The stunt performer was reportedly crushed by two cars, which then erupted into flames during his act
- A spokesperson for the show said Goodwin remains in the hospital, but his current condition is unclear
One of "America's Got Talent: Extreme's" contestants has been hospitalized after he was injured during a stunt on set.
Jonathan Goodwin, a stunt performer who calls himself "The Daredevil," was severely injured when his escape act on the set of the upcoming "AGT" spinoff series went wrong Thursday. The incident occurred at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia, where the show is being filmed, People reported.
"During a rehearsal last evening for 'America's Got Talent: Extreme,' an accident occurred in which escape artist Jonathan Goodwin was injured while performing his act," a spokesperson for the show told the outlet.
According to the spokesperson, Goodwin was responsive and was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he continues to receive medical treatment for his injuries. However, his current condition is unclear.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family as we await further updates on his condition," the statement continued.
The 40-year-old Welsh stunt performer was suspended 70 feet in the air in a straitjacket hanging by his feet from a wire, which two cars "suspended on either side of him swinging back and forth," according to TMZ, which first reported the accident.
Goodwin was working on freeing himself in order to land on an air mattress below, but he was accidentally "sandwiched" in between the two vehicles when they smashed together, the report said.
The collision caused the cars to explode and erupt in a gigantic fireball. Goodwin fell to the ground and hit his head.
Goodwin was unresponsive after the crash, and people on set feared he was dead, unnamed sources told TMZ.
However, the outlet confirmed that the stuntman was already responsive when he was airlifted to a hospital and rushed into surgery.
Goodwin competed on "America's Got Talent" Season 15 last year. He made it to the semifinal round after performing four dangerous acts in front of judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara. He was also a finalist on "Britain's Got Talent" in 2019.
Goodwin's accident came just two weeks after NBC announced "America's Got Talent: Extreme." The spinoff series was described as "the most outrageous, unique and jaw-dropping acts of enormous scale and magnitude that simply cannot be confined to a theater stage."
"America's Got Talent: Extreme" is hosted by Terry Crews and features judges Simon Cowell, former WWE wrestler Nikki Bella and motorsports champion Travis Pastrana.
“America’s Got Talent” (AGT) judges and audience were left horrified on Tuesday's episode, as a couple’s dangerous trapeze act went awfully wrong. In this photo, America's Got Talent Live: The All Stars Tour logo captured on the big screen onstage during opening night in Salina, Kansas, Oct. 6, 2015. Photo: Getty Images/ Fernando Leon
