An escape artist who was left paralyzed after a near-fatal stunt on “America’s Got Talent: Extreme” says the accident was not his fault when asked about what caused the stunt to go awry.
Jonathan Goodwin, 42, insists that “he didn’t do anything wrong” in an Instagram post when a fan asked him about the tragic accident, which occurred back in October 2021 during rehearsals for Simon Cowell’s spin-off series.
The escapologist did not go into further detail about who was at fault for the stunt, which revolved around him being crushed by two suspended cars while attempting to escape a straight jacket, as he hung upside down 30 ft in the air.
Failed Escapist Stunt Left Stuntman In Wheelchair With Life-Changing Injuries, Fiancée Says
In May, Jonathan’s fiancée, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, 48, revealed that the “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant now uses a wheelchair and that the failed stunt left him with life-changing injuries.
Jonathan Goodwin's 'AGT' Suspended Car Stunt Gone Wrong on Video https://t.co/xN8FFiAe1P pic.twitter.com/VLHHhrcw5f
— Lamaldicion (@Latrimardicion) October 16, 2021
The Daily Mail reports that the stunt has since been axed.
“He fell 30ft and lost a kidney, broke both shoulder blades, shattered both legs,” Abbington said of Goodwin.
Abbington added that Goodwin sustained “third-degree burns, broke his spine and severed his spinal cord,” and “nearly died” from the failed stunt. He is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Fiancée Says Stuntman Will Remain In Wheelchair “Forever” Barring “Some Kind Of” Stem Cell Surgery
She went on to say that “unless there’s a kind of stem cell surgery, or that thing that Elon Musk is designing with the little chip, he’ll be like that forever.”
“Third-degree burns, broke his spine and severed his spinal cord and nearly died. And then on the operating table, he nearly died again.
Unless there’s a kind of stem cell surgery, or that thing that Elon Musk is designing with the little chip, he’ll be like that forever.”
He's tweeting again! What a real legend AlexAshmore95 is… RT BGT: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
Jonathan Goodwin sets himself ON FIRE in incredible escape act! Watch Jonathan attempt the unthinkable – escaping from a straight jacket, while hanging upside … pic.twitter.com/U1Edh78uJy
— Fake AJ (@FakeAToTheJay) April 14, 2019
In May, Goodwin shared an Instagram post saying his dog was getting used to him having “cool new wheels” after not seeing him for six months as he remained hospitalized.
“Six months ago I went to rehearse for something and left this little hair monkey waiting patiently for me… he didn’t see his dad again until just a couple of weeks ago and when he finally did, his dad had new wheels. A lot has changed in the last six months, but love is a constant and I’m very loved. Looking forward to my next chapter and being a role model.”
His fiancée fought back tears as she appeared with Goodwin on Lorraine back in May.
The incident spurred a federal investigation into the show, with the Department of Labor occupational safety division telling The Sun that it issued citations for two “serious violations” in the wake of Goodwin’s accident.
“OSHA has completed the investigation into this horrific incident involving Marathon Productions, Inc. and issued a citation on April 13, 2022 for two Serious violations.”
Stunt Man Offered Fiancée “Get Out Of Jail Free” Card After Accident, But Stunt Only Strengthened Bond
Goodwin revealed that he had given Amanda a “get out of jail free card” following the accident, in reference to allowing his fiancée a guilt-free sexual tryst, but she insisted she would remain faithful and by her new fiancé’s side.
“We are closer and tighter now than ever,” she said of their relationship.
When asked by another fan about his advice on getting through “rough times,” Goodwin replied with “stay in the moment.”
“Stay in the moment. Try not to project the future or concern yourself with the past. Take every day, every hour, every minute as it comes. Ask for help if you need it.”
The couple shares children Joe, 16, and Grace, 14, with Amanda’s ex-husband Sherlock costar Martin Freeman.
“I did say you have a get out of jail free card – if you want to walk away, then I completely understand.”
Amanda Abbington & her fiance escapologist Jonathan Goodwin have opened up about the stunt that went wrong and almost killed him. pic.twitter.com/KErvgojI5B
— Lorraine (@lorraine) May 6, 2022
Escape Artist Had History Of Death-Defying Stunts, Finished As Semifinalist in “America’s Got Talent”
Goodwin has a history of death-defying stunts dating back over a decade.
In September 2012, it was announced that Goodwin would be appearing in his own series on UKTV’s Watch, entitled “The Incredible Mr. Goodwin.” The show included a wide variety of stunts, from free climbing skyscrapers to “extreme planking”, and started airing in early 2013.
In March 2013, Goodwin appeared on “The Jonathan Ross Show” and performed the stunt of lying on a single nail and having a breeze block broken on his chest with a sledgehammer.
In April 2019, he appeared on the 13th series of “Britain’s Got Talent,” and made it to the finals performing the “buried alive” stunt, the first time this stunt had ever been attempted on a stage.
In 2020, he appeared on America’s Got Talent, where he finished as a semifinalist
