A “human cannonball” has been seriously injured after an accident at a fair in California.
On Sunday, March 2, Chachi “The Rocketman” Valencia was appearing at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio when “a sudden and unexpected gust of wind tragically altered his performance,” a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds amid the entertainer’s recovery stated.
“During his act, a strong gust of wind caught him mid-air, causing him to miss the safety net. He struck the side of the net, it catapulted him out and, unfortunately, landed on the asphalt,” the page stated.
Valencia “sustained serious injuries, including broken ribs, a broken wrist, and a lacerated liver” in the accident, the page said.
Per an Instagram post shared by the festival, the accident occurred during Valencia’s 2:30 p.m. local time performance. He was then taken to the hospital at around 3 p.m.
Hassan Ammar/AP
The sixth-generation circus performer told Fox 11 Los Angeles that everything went black once he’d been thrown from the safety net.
“I don’t remember anything until I was in the ambulance on my way to the hospital,” he said, per the outlet.
Valencia said that he’s “really sore,” but left the hospital because he didn’t have medical insurance and was worried about the bills mounting up, Fox 11 L.A. reported. He also said that he considered not performing at the event over the weekend due to the windy conditions.
“You see all the people who are waiting for you to do your thing, and they’re so excited, and you know I just couldn’t… I couldn’t cancel, you know?” he told the outlet.
A description on the GoFundMe page stated, “Chachi is a dedicated performer who brings joy and excitement to audiences. A breathtaking marvel of skill and daring, his death-defying stunt has electrified crowds at the London Olympics closing ceremony, NASCAR and Formula 1 events, and the secret weapon in Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival competition, along with a multitude of circuses and festivals around the world.”
The page said that the performer is “facing significant time away from work and his passion, and the financial strain is adding to the stress on his health and well-being.”
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Per his website, Valencia has 23 years of cannon experience.
“Chachi ‘The Rocketman’ Valenica makes his living as a Human Cannonball being shot from a cannon; free flying through the air at speeds of 55mph, heights of over 65 ft, and distances of 165ft. He lands in a narrow net, set 20ft off of the ground and rocks the crowds every time when he hits his target at the center and takes off his helmet in a heartfelt victory salute,” the site said.
As of Friday, March 7, the GoFundMe page had raised just under $10,210.
Valencia didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for an update on his recovery.
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