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A seasoned human cannonball performer, known for thrilling audiences worldwide, suffered a terrifying accident at a California fair when his stunt went disastrously off course. Chachi "Rocketman" Valencia, who has spent over two decades mastering the high-risk act, was launched from a cannon at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio on March 2.
As the crowd eagerly watched, Valencia was fired into the air at 55 mph, aiming for a safety net suspended 20 feet off the ground. However, an unexpected gust of wind pushed him off his intended trajectory. Instead of a controlled landing, he struck the edge of the net, bounced back into the air, and crashed onto the concrete below.
Rocketman Valencia suffered multiple injuries
Now recovering from his injuries, Valencia shared an update on his GoFundMe page, where he posted a photo of himself with his arm in a cast alongside his dog. "Taking it day by day with my faithful pup by my side," he wrote, adding that he was "grateful for time to heal and soak up all the love and snuggles."
The impact left him with broken ribs, a fractured wrist, and a lacerated liver. Medical bills are mounting, and his family has started an online fundraiser to help cover expenses.
His son, David Valencia, noted, "He's facing significant time away from work and his ion, and the financial strain is adding to the stress on his health and well-being."
Speaking to NBC 5 on March 7, Valencia recalled the terrifying moment before losing consciousness.
"I being pushed all the way over to the edge of the net," he said.
"From then on, I don't anything until I was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital."
A sixth-generation circus performer, Valencia is no stranger to danger.
He has executed this precise stunt hundreds of times a year, including high-profile performances at the London Olympics, Rio Carnival, and NASCAR events.
Before the incident, he had practiced with wind considerations in mind but was caught off guard by an unexpectedly strong gust during showtime.
Despite the ordeal, Valencia remains hopeful about returning to the act that has defined his career.
"Here's to brighter days ahead," he wrote.