FMX Rider Greg Hartman Critically Injured at Right Guard Open
July 19, 2008 – 7:10 pm PT by GregTags: AST, Greg Hartman, Right Guard Open —
Update: Check out the end of this post for an update from Hartman’s wife from Saturday night.
FMX rider Greg Hartman was injured Friday night during a demo at the Right Guard Open in Cleveland, the second stop of the AST Dew Tour.
Hartman suffered a head injury while performing a backflip and other reports have him suffering a collapsed lung and bleeding from the brain. Paralysis is not a concern, according to Rick Bahr, executive medical director of Winning Medicine International, the AST Dew Tour’s medical staff.
Last year the FMX finals in Cleveland had to be canceled because of high wins and this year the event was downgraded to a demo-only event. The official reason was attributed to venue size, but weather was a key reason.
The wind was still strong on Friday night and many riders stuck to easy tricks. After Hartman was transported to a local hospital, where his status is still listed as critical, the demo was restarted.
This is the first major accident on the AST since last year, when BMX rider Stephen Murray was critically injured and paralyzed at the Baltimore stop and Blake “Bilko” Williams broke his leg and missed the entire season, also in Baltimore. While weather was not deemed a major factor in either of those accidents, rain and wind did force many schedule changes at three of the five AST stops last year.
FMX fans are hoping the 24-year-old, who currently lives in Cleveland, TX, will get a speedy recovery, but news is difficult to get. No mention of the crash or Hartman’s condition has been listed on the AST website.
UPDATE: Greg’s wife Carly posted this update to FreestyleMTX.com on Saturday night.
Hello everyone. This is Greg’s wife Carly. We just got back from the hospital and Greg seems to be improving slowly but surely. I see there are many mixed stories, but the injuries are a brain hemorrage and a collapsed lung. He had emergency surgery to place a chest tube, and thankfully the doctors want to just wait out the head injury for now since he’s so responsive. He’s been kept under a lot of sedation because he’s been very violent and resistant. Anyone who knows Greg knows that it’s not like him at all, so you can imagine the state he’s in. He’s now opening his eyes, speaking very little, and knows who we all are. He’s still very agitated, though. ICU is pretty strict about all visitors, but I’ll try to keep you posted on his condition. For now we will be staying in Cleveland until I can bring my boy home. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. God heals, and we’ve already been watching Him move in this situation. God Bless. Good Night.
2 Responses to “FMX Rider Greg Hartman Critically Injured at Right Guard Open”
wow. i was there and saw it. it was pretty scary looking and when his wife ran over to him and we saw her reaction, we knew it was bad.
i’ve been searching all over the internet for an update on his status and this is the only place i could find it.
will def say some prayers for him.
By jennifer on Jul 20, 2008
i was also there during the crash.. it freaked me out pretty bad.. i also dirt bike, and i know thet one little mistake can become horrible.. it seems like he is doing well, and i am glad.. hope he recovers quikly.. -mark..
p.s. he will be in my prayers
By mark on Nov 10, 2008