AGT: Extreme contestant Jonathan Goodwin was severely injured during a stunt rehearsal

People

Goodwin, a stunt performer who refers to himself as "The Daredevil" who competed on America's Got Talent last year, was hospitalized last night after he was "sandwiched" between two cars that smashed together during a rehearsal at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where the NBC reality show is being filmed. "During a rehearsal last evening for America's Got Talent: Extreme, an accident occurred in which escape artist Jonathan Goodwin was injured while performing his act," a show spokesperson said in a statement. "He was responsive and was immediately taken to the hospital where he is continuing to receive medical care. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family as we await further updates on his condition." According to TMZ, the 40-year-old Goodwin "was suspended 70 feet in the air in a straitjacket hanging by his feet from a wire. Two cars were suspended on either side of him ... swinging back and forth. The stunt was for Goodwin to free himself from the restraints and then fall on an air mattress, and avoid getting crushed by the cars as they swung in the air. Something went terribly wrong, and the cars smashed together, sandwiching Goodwin in between them. The impact caused the cars to explode, erupting in a gigantic fireball. Goodwin fell to the ground and hit his head." TMZ reports Goodwin was conscious when he was airlifted to the hospital. Meanwhile, production on the America's Got Talent spinoff has been paused.