'America's Got Talent: Extreme' contestant hospitalized after terrifying stunt gone wrong
Daredevil Jonathan Goodwin was severely injured on Thursday night on the set of the new series America's Got Talent: Extreme. The stuntman, 41, was reportedly crushed by two cars, which then erupted into flames during his act. The incident happened at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Georgia.
"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," an AGT spokesperson tells Yahoo Entertainment. "He was responsive and was immediately taken to the hospital where he is continuing to receive medical care. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family as we await further updates on his condition."
TMZ, which broke the news of the incident, claims Goodwin was suspended 70 feet in the air and hanging in a straight jacket during the stunt. Two cars were apparently on either side of him, swinging back and forth. Goodwin was supposed to free himself as he hung by his feet from a wire and fall onto an air mattress below but became sandwiched between the vehicles. The impact purportedly caused the cars to explode and the stuntman fell to the ground and hit his head. He was responsive when airlifted to a hospital. The outlet cites production sources who claim the accident was so horrific, people watching it unfold thought he was dead.
AGT: Extreme showcases "the most outrageous, unique and jaw-dropping acts of enormous scale and magnitude that simply cannot be confined to a theater stage," NBC previously announced. It's in production on its inaugural season. Goodwin is familiar with the series as he appeared on America's Got Talent in 2020.
America’s Got Talent host Terry Crews will also host Extreme. Simon Cowell serves as a judge on the spinoff along with WWE wrestler Nikki Bella and motocross and rally car driver, Travis Pastrana.