Frightening moment California daredevil’s human cannonball stunt goes wrong in front of stunned crowd

An experienced stuntman known as The Rocketman Valencia is recovering after a serious injury during his human cannonball act at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio, Calif. A gust of wind caused him to miss his landing spot on the safety net, resulting in a painful crash onto the concrete below.

Valencia, also called Chachi Valencia, shared an update on his GoFundMe page, showing his arm in a cast as he heals with his dog by his side. Despite the accident, he remains grateful for the love and support he has received.

During the stunt, Valencia was blown off course by a sudden gust of wind while flying through the air. The impact caused him to land on the side of the safety net, sending him back into the air before the collision with the ground.

After the incident, Valencia was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with broken ribs, a wrist injury, and a lacerated liver. His son, David Valencia, expressed concern over the mounting medical bills and the long road to recovery that lies ahead.

Valencia, a sixth-generation circus performer, is known for his death-defying human cannonball act, which requires precision and calculation for each performance. Despite the challenges he faced during the recent mishap, he remains hopeful of returning to the stage soon.

Throughout his three-decade career, Valencia has wowed audiences with his high-speed cannonball act, reaching 55 mph as he soars 65 feet in the air to land on a net 20 feet off the ground. His performances have been featured on major platforms such as the London Olympics, Rio De Janeiro’s Carnival, and the Texas Motor Speedway.