The sports world was left in shock and mourning Thursday when Texas snowmobiler Caleb Moore died after he received fatal injuries when his snow mobile crashed on top of him in a tragic accident during the X-Games.
Moore, 25, was killed due to injuries he sustained last week on Jan. 24 when he under-rotated a backflip and dug the skis of his sled into the lip of the landing during the snowmobile freestyle contest of the X Games.
His 450-pound Polaris snowmobile landed on top of Moore as he slid down the landing ramp. He was knocked out, but regained consciousness and was taken to Aspen Valley Hospital, where doctors found bleeding around his heart and performed emergency heart surgery Friday morning.
"This morning Caleb Moore passed away," the Moore family said in a statement. "He will be truly missed and never forgotten.
"The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for all the prayers and support they have received from all the fans, friends and family around the world that Caleb has inspired."
Moore, who began his career as an ATV racer, participated in his first Winter X Games in 2010, winning a bronze medal for freestyle. He won two more bronze medals in 2011 and 2012 and a silver one in the 2011 games.
The accident marks the first fatality ever recorded during the 17-year history of the Winter X-Games. This year's games alone have brought about injuries to six athletes, including Moore's brother, Colten. The list of injuries includes one skier with a broken back and a snowboarder who flew off the edge of the half-pipe and into the crowd of spectators in attendance.
The footage of Moore's crash was captured on video via YouTube (VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED).