Family members tell FOX 28 Brett Banasiewicz crashed during an Invitational in Virginia Beach. The 17-year-old from South Bend Washington is a star on the BMX circuit.
His mother tells FOX 28 Sports Director Dean Huppert, her son is in critical condition at a Virginia trauma center. She said Banasiewicz is in a medically induced coma, and will be so overnight. She says doctors are optimistic there were no injuries to his spine or neck.
Right now the family is asking for prayers because they're unsure whether he suffered any brain damage. They say Banasiewicz is moving his hands and feet.
The crash happened during the BMX Invitational that's run in conjunction with a Surfing Championship in Virginia Beach.
Banasiewicz was trying to do a 720 which is a flip where he goes around in the air twice. It's a stunt he does all the time, but this time his tire stuck and he went onto his head.
He was wearing a helmet. Banasiewicz is one of the biggest stars in the world on the BMX circuit. He just won on the Dew Tour last weekend in Ocean City, Maryland.
There has already been an outpouring of support for Banasiewicz. Plenty of fans are leaving messages on the FOX 28 Facebook Page, and Thursday night on Banasiewicz's mother wrote the following on her Facebook page: "Thank you. Prayers are Working. Brett is fighting. He's kicking his feet and squeezing hands. The pressure in his brain is at a good point. I have talked to the surgeon and they are taking every precaution to ensure that he gets the best of care. HE will be under sedation all night to let his brain heal. Keep Praying. God is Great & Brett is Strong."
