TJ Lavin injured in Las Vegas BMX competition

BMX star TJ Lavin remains hospitalized in critical condition with head injuries suffered during a violent crash Thursday night in qualifying rounds of a Dew Tour competition in Las Vegas.

Lavin, 33, was soaring high over a dirt ramp and attempting a difficult maneuver that entailed becoming temporarily unseated from his bicycle. He failed to get his feet back on the pedals before landing on the down-slope, and became separated from his bike just before impact.


The athlete was wearing a helmet, according to Dew Tour spokeswoman Nicole Mancuso.

Video footage of the incident, which was posted briefly on YouTube, has been blocked by NBC Universal, which owns the Dew Tour, over copyright concerns.

Lavin, a Las Vegas native who also stars for MTV's "Real World/Road Rules" series, was knocked unconscious and also was said to have suffered broken ribs and a broken right wrist. A spokeswoman at University Medical Center on Friday morning would not confirm those injuries or reports that Lavin was in a coma. All she would confirm was that his condition remained critical.

Action News in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon reported that Lavin's mother said her son was in a medically-induced coma to relieve swelling on the brain. She added that doctors were able to move Lavin's arms and legs.

The incident underscores the danger of top-level BMX competitions, during which competitors perform tricks such as bike spins, bar spins and body maneuvers that involve releasing their feet from the pedals.

Lavin, who helped design the Las Vegas course, is a veteran BMX Dirt specialist and longtime star; he's won gold medals in the X games and numerous Dew Tour accolades. He'll be in the hearts and minds of fellow competitors at this season's final Dew Tour competition this weekend.