Colten Moore attempts a double backflip during the snowmobile best trick competition on Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
Colten Moore underwent surgery on Sunday for a lower back injury he suffered when attempting a double backflip on his snowmobile as part of an event at Aspen’s Winter X Games.
“I’m good!! Thank you all for the support!!! We do what we love,” . “Period.”
Moore and competitor Heath Frisby were vying to become the first athletes to complete the feat in competition during Sunday afternoon’s snowmobile best trick event at Buttermilk Mountain. but were unable to land successfully.
“Colten had successful surgery yesterday to treat a lower back injury,” the family said in a statement. “He is resting and recovering well, and he and his family appreciate all of the support, well-wishes and prayers from his fans.”
Further information about the extent of his injuries was not immediately known.
Frisby was knocked off his sled after crashing and walked away but did not attempt another run. The 32-year-old Middleton, Idaho, native underrotated with his sled, which broke during the trick and had to be hauled away by a forklift. After another rider, Moore — a 27-year-old from Krum, Texas — lined for his jump and attempted the trick, but overrotated, landed hard, fell off his snowmobile and then rolled in pain gingerly through the snow.
Medics rushed to him quickly and attended to him for several minutes before eventually strapping him to a sled and taking him to a local hospital after he complained of lower back pain. He was eventually transported to another unnamed facility. Moore gave a thumbs up to the crowd as medics ushered him away.
In 2013, Moore’s brother, , underrotated on a single backflip at the X Games in this event, causing the snowmobile to land on top of him. He sustained a concussion and bleeding around his heart, which led to a secondary complication with his brain. He died a week later.
In that same competition, 30 minutes after Caleb’s injury, Colten separated his pelvis during a crash.
Disney-owned ESPN — which operates the X Games franchise — canceled the best trick event just months later and brought it back for the first time this year.
Denver Post staff writer Jason Blevins contributed reporting for this story.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Colten Moore crashes during the landing after attempting a double backflip in the snowmobile best trick final at the Aspen Winter X Games at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
ASPEN, CO -JANUARY 29: Colten Moore is attended to by medics after crashing during a double back flip in the snowmobile best trick final at X Games, at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Heath Frisby crashes after attempting a double backflip during the snowmobile best trick event on Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Colten Moore gives a thumbs up while medics taken him away after he crashed during a double backflip attempt in the snowmobile best trick final at the Aspen X Games at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Colten Moore attempts a double backflip during the snowmobile best trick competition on Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
This multiple exposure composite image shows Colten Moore performing a double backflip in the snowmobile best trick final at the Winter X Games at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Heath Frisby crashes after attempting a double backflip during the snowmobile best trick event on Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Heath Frisby walks away after crashing when attempting a double backflip Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Daniel Bodin reacts after hitting his final jump in the snowmobile best trick event during Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen. Bodin won the event with a score of 85.33.
Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Joe Parsons performs in his second run during the snowmobile best trick event during Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
Daniel Petty, The Denver Post
Brett Turcotte competes during the snowmobile best trick final on Day 4 of Winter X Games 2017 Aspen at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
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Colten Moore crashes during the landing after attempting a double backflip in the snowmobile best trick final at the Aspen Winter X Games at Buttermilk Mountain on Jan. 29, 2017, in Aspen.
