Chachi Valencia’s High-Flying Mishap: Injured in a Daredevil Stunt Gone Awry
Well, it seems that even daredevils aren’t immune to the whims of Mother Nature! Chachi “The Rocketman” Valencia, a stuntman renowned for his audacious human cannonball performances, found himself in a bit of a pickle during his latest act at the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival on March 2. In a turn of events that could only be described as unfortunate—thanks to a rogue wind gust—Chachi miscalculated his landing and came crashing down, missing the safety net entirely.
The incident, reported by multiple outlets including the Los Angeles Times, saw Chachi launched from a cannon at a staggering 55 mph, aiming to soar approximately 165 feet. Instead, he landed on asphalt, sustaining a series of injuries that included broken ribs, a broken wrist, and a lacerated liver. Ouch! Following the accident, he was rushed to the hospital, where he remained under care while recovering from his injuries.
Chachi’s family quickly mobilized a GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden of his medical bills, which are already piling up like a stack of unfiled tax returns. The fundraiser has garnered over $10,000, aimed at covering his rehabilitation costs, loss of income, and, in a twist of optimism, getting him back to “flying through the air” soon. A heartfelt note from Chachi’s family on the GoFundMe page highlights not only the physical pain he’s enduring but also the emotional toll this incident has taken. After all, when your livelihood involves defying gravity, a setback like this can be quite the buzzkill.
In a post-incident interview with Fox LA, Chachi recounted the moment of his downfall, attributing it to the unpredictable winds that shifted just before his launch. “I don’t remember anything until I was in the ambulance on my way to the hospital,” he explained, a testimony to how quickly things can go south in the world of high-stakes stunts.
As he navigates his recovery, let’s hope this rocketman can bounce back and reclaim his sky-high dreams sooner rather than later. Because if there’s one thing we know, it’s that the show must go on—just hopefully with a bit less drama next time!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, Los Angeles Times, Fox LA
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