Caleb Moore



Moore suffered a concussion during the snowmobile freestyle final — in which riders navigate their snowmobiles over a series of jumps in 75 seconds —  in Aspen on Jan. 24. He had attempted a backflip late in his run, but under-rotated his sled and did not get it far enough down the landing ramp. He was subsequently knocked off the mobile, and the skis of the sled landed on him as he slid down the ramp.

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Moore was found to have bleeding on his heart and was airlifted to St. Mary's, where he underwent emergency surgery on Friday. On Sunday, a family spokeswoman announced he had suffered a "brain complication." He was in critical condition on Wednesday.

Moore's death is the first in the Winter X Games, which completed its 17th edition last week. "We are deeply saddened by Caleb Moore's passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Wade and Michelle, his brother, Colten, and the entire Moore family," ESPN said in a statement released Thursday. "He will be remembered for his natural passion for life and his deep love for his family and friends, and he will always be an inspiration to everyone he touched in the action sports community."

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ESPN said it will conduct a thorough review of the sport, as well as work closely on safety issues with athletes and other experts. "Still, when the world's best compete at the highest level in any sport, risks remain," the statement said. "Caleb was a four-time X Games medalist attempting a move he has landed several times previously."

Moore and his younger brother, Colten, began competiting on snowmobiles four years ago after racing ATVs for years prior. They entered their first X Games in 2010, during which Caleb took bronze in the freestyle competition. He won bronze again the next year, and silver for best trick. He won the bronze in the freestyle again in 2012, and Colten won gold. Colten also crashed during the freestyle competition, separating his pelvis.

A Give Forward website has been set up to raise money for Moore's medical bills, and had raised $31,000 as of late Thursday.