Metzger breaks back

Freestyle motocrosser Mike Metzger broke his back attempting a back-flip in Long Beach, California on Wednesday, January 17, 2006.

According to reports on the Long Beach Presstelegram Metzger was performing a back-flip between two barges anchored 75 feet apart in the bay near the Queen Mary. 

Metzger remained on the barge but his Kawasaki 250 had to be rescued from the sea by safety divers.

He is thought to have fractured his L-4 vertebrae but is reported to be comfortable and cheerful considering the injury.

Metzger, known as the ‘Godfather of Freestyle’, was performing the stunt as part of the Discovery Channel’s Stunt Junkies TV series. 

Metzger’s most famous back-flip was over the waterfalls at Caeser’s Palace in Las Vegas last May.