Daredevil’s Cannonball Stunt Goes Horribly Wrong in Front of Shocked Crowd [WATCH]

A seasoned stunt performer known for his daring human cannonball act is now facing a long road to recovery after a terrifying accident at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indio, California.

As reported by The New York Post, Chachi Valencia, better known as The Rocketman Valencia, was in the middle of his signature act on March 2 when an unexpected gust of wind threw him off course, causing him to miss his intended landing spot.

Instead of hitting his safety net with precision, he ricocheted off the edge, spun violently through the air, and slammed into the unforgiving concrete below.

Elon Musk Called This Financial News ‘Terrifying’

A video captured by a festival attendee shows Valencia, dressed in a bright yellow jumpsuit, being fired from a massive cannon. As he soared toward his target, a sudden gust pushed him off balance, sending him straight toward disaster.

Spectators gasped in horror as they watched him crash to the ground, motionless.

Emergency personnel rushed to his aid, and Valencia was quickly transported to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with broken ribs, a wrist injury, and a lacerated liver.

The devastating injuries have not only sidelined him from performing but have also left him with mounting medical expenses.

American Made Patriotic Apparel – Save 15% with Promo Code MERICA

“Beyond the physical pain, the medical bills are already mounting, and the road to recovery will be long,” his son, David Valencia, shared in a heartfelt update on the family’s GoFundMe page.

“He’s facing significant time away from work and his passion, and the financial strain is adding to the stress on his health and well-being.”

Despite the accident, Valencia remains hopeful and determined to get back on his feet. Sharing an update with his supporters, he posted a picture of himself recovering with his dog by his side.

“Taking it day by day with my faithful pup by my side. Grateful for time to heal and soak up all the love and snuggles. Here’s to brighter days ahead.”

In a post-accident interview, Valencia recalled the moment before impact. “I was pushed all the way over to the edge of the net,” he told NBC 5. “From then on, I don’t remember anything until I was in the ambulance and on the way to the hospital.”

A sixth-generation circus performer, Valencia has spent 30 years perfecting the human cannonball act, performing it up to 500 times a year.

The stunt, which requires extreme precision, launches him at speeds of 55 mph, sending him 65 feet through the air to a net positioned 20 feet above the ground.

Despite meticulous calculations, no amount of preparation could have accounted for the rogue wind gust that derailed his trajectory that fateful day.

A stuntman known as the Rocketman Valencia has been injured in a human cannonball stunt gone wrong that was captured on camera.

Chachi Valencia, who has been involved in human cannonball acts for three decades, was performing at the Riverside County Fair and National Date… pic.twitter.com/RO9FlVwlxx

— Denn Dunham (@DennD68) March 17, 2025

Valencia has no plans to retire from the act that has taken him across the globe.

His resume includes high-profile performances at the 2012 London Olympics’ closing ceremony, the 2014 Rio Carnival competition, and a NASCAR event at the Texas Motor Speedway in 2022.

Before taking over the act himself, he spent 15 years launching his now-ex-wife from the cannon.

For now, Valencia is focused on recovery at his home in Texas, but his love for the stunt remains unshaken. He hopes to return to the skies soon, proving once again that some daredevils just aren’t built to stay grounded.