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Drama at County Show 2022 as stunt biker takes a tumble


By David G Scott

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Picture taken by Eswyl Fell a moment before disaster struck.
Picture taken by Eswyl Fell a moment before disaster struck.

A stunt motorcyclist brought gasps from spectators after a heavy landing during a special display at the County Show 2022 in Thurso on Saturday.

Photographer James Gunn captures the biker in mid flip during Sunday's show.
Photographer James Gunn captures the biker in mid flip during Sunday's show.
Broke FMX stunt rider in action at the County Show on Saturday afternoon. Picture: James Gunn
Broke FMX stunt rider in action at the County Show on Saturday afternoon. Picture: James Gunn
The Broke FMX rider flies close to 40ft in the air. Picture: Alan Hendry
The Broke FMX rider flies close to 40ft in the air. Picture: Alan Hendry
The moment John Pearson crash-landed on the landing ramp. Picture: James Gunn
The moment John Pearson crash-landed on the landing ramp. Picture: James Gunn
John appears to be in agony after the tumble. Picture: DGS
John appears to be in agony after the tumble. Picture: DGS
He gradually picks himself up from the ground. Picture: DGS
He gradually picks himself up from the ground. Picture: DGS
The Broke FMX safety manager, James, helps him to his feet. Picture: DGS
The Broke FMX safety manager, James, helps him to his feet. Picture: DGS

John Pearson wowed the crowds at the Broke FMX spectacle during the day but at the end of the second session he took a tumble after landing badly from the 35ft high acrobatic stunt. Worried members of the public watched as John fell to the ground after misjudging his entry on to the landing ramp – captured on the video featured here by Linda Swanson. Within a few moments his safety manager came across and helped him to his feet and he was able to walk from the arena to riotous applause from the public.

John is back on his feet and leaves the arena to cheers from the crowd. Picture: DGS
John is back on his feet and leaves the arena to cheers from the crowd. Picture: DGS

John Pearson has years of experience as part of the Broke FMX stunt display team and has been dedicated to "electrifying crowds of all ages" at similar events throughout the country.

Before the accident John spoke to the paper and admitted that the name Broke FMX actually came about from the amount of broken bones he's received doing his stunts. "I've broken loads of bones so that's why we're called that," he said.

Stunt biker with Broke FMX John Pearson, left, with his safety manager James. Picture: DGS
Stunt biker with Broke FMX John Pearson, left, with his safety manager James. Picture: DGS

"We're from Preston in Lancashire and show people what we can do on motorcycles – flying 35ft in the air, 75ft in distance and doing all sorts of aerobatic manoeuvres. It's like the things you see on TV but right in front of your eyes."

John Pearson shows the acrobatic style of Broke FMX. Picture: James Gunn
John Pearson shows the acrobatic style of Broke FMX. Picture: James Gunn

Before the final event and his accident, John said that conditions were "unbelievable" with no wind and sunny weather. "I got told the only conditions in Scotland were warm rain in the summer and cold rain in the winter. It's absolutely blazing sunshine with no wind. It's absolutely perfect with a nice arena for riding and the crowd are amazing – it's really good.

"The first session today was a bit of a warm up after we had a 12-hour drive yesterday and I had to wake up and get alert. The next one should be on the ball and we should be going for it."

The Broke FMX rider flies close to 40ft in the air. Picture: Alan Hendry
The Broke FMX rider flies close to 40ft in the air. Picture: Alan Hendry

After the event an agent for Broke FMX said that John had recently suffered a major leg fracture and his body "is held together with steel pins". He didn't require medical attention from the on site first aid personnel and appeared none the worse for the fall as he walked his bike from the arena on Saturday.


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