The new “America’s Got Talent” spin-off series has already proved exceedingly dangerous and near-fatal for one contestant.
Professional stuntman Jonathan Goodwin, aka “The Daredevil,” competed in Season 15 of the flagship show last year, making it to the semifinals. He came back this fall to compete in the brand new “America’s Got Talent: Extreme” show, which is currently filming at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. But one of his stunts went horribly wrong and nearly killed him.
TMZ just released the 911 call from the “America’s Got Talent” set to local police. An on-site medic made the call and described the stunt that caused Goodwin to sustain “horrific injuries.”
“We had a man suspended on a cable,” the woman in the call explains. Goodwin reportedly hung 70 feet in the air and tried to free himself. Meanwhile, two cars swung on either side of him, closing in as he struggled to escape and fall onto an air mattress.
“Cars were supposed to slam, he didn’t drop in time, they slammed into him,” the on-site medic continues. TMZ reported earlier that the two cars hit each other and exploded. But we did not know that the two cars slammed Goodwin between them when they caught fire.
The 911 caller explains how he has some kind of “fracture” and that he “fell about 40 feet and missed the airbag. Landed on his head. He’s agonal and posturing.”
According to TMZ, agonal and posturing refers to when “patients [are] close to death, struggling to breathe and making unnatural movement.” At the time, the “America’s Got Talent” contestant was responsive, but we’re not sure about his current condition.
You can hear the harrowing 911 call for yourself below.
WARNING: Audio is graphic.
‘America’s Got Talent: Extreme’ Pauses Filming After Stuntman Nearly Dies
According to Deadline, production paused on the “America’s Got Talent” spin-off show after Jonathan Goodwin’s horrifying accident.
A spokesperson from the show told the outlet, “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. 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.”
This doesn’t bode well for the rest of the show. Supposedly, it features the “most outrageous and jaw-dropping daredevil acts” ever seen. NBC originally wanted to air it midseason, but depending on how long production pauses, we might wait longer than that. If the show even takes off, after what happened to Goodwin.
Simon Cowell, Nikki Bella, and Travis Pastrana will judge the show, while Terry Crews hosts.
