Corey Scott
Corey L. Scott (December 28, 1968 – February 8, 1997) was an American stunt performer and professional motorcycle stunt rider. Scott died during a live stunt in front of a crowd of around 30,000 spectators at the Orange Bowl stadium in Miami, Florida, while attempting to perform a dangerous step-up jump on a motorcycle. The fatal accident was captured on camera.[1]
Corey Scott | |
|---|---|
 Scott attempting the fatal motorcycle jump at the Miami Orange Bowl | |
| Born | Corey L. Scott December 28, 1968 Decatur, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | February 8, 1997 (aged 28) Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Motorcycle accident |
| Resting place | Decatur, Indiana, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Motorcycle stunt rider |
| Known for | Motorcycle stunts |
Career
Scott was born in Decatur, Indiana and became interested in motorcycle stunt riding at age 15. His father died on January 8, 1987, when Scott was 18. That same year in 1987, Scott graduated from high school and moved to Florida. He then began performing with the Joie Chitwood Chevy Thunder Show, which he continued to work with for several years. He performed in over 2,000 shows with the Chitwood organization. He specialized in wheelies, the motorcycle-car precision driving exhibition and the motorcycle-pick up jump, where he jumped over a moving truck with a ramp attached to the back of it.
Scott later left Chitwood and formed his own independent company called Scott's Super Stunts. In 1995, Scott won a ramp-to-ramp jump competition in Charlotte, North Carolina. The competition aired on ESPN. He later took a break from stunts after suffering a head injury shortly after the competition. In 1996, he went back to stunt performing.[2]
Death
On the night of Saturday, February 8, 1997, Scott was performing at the Orange Bowl stadium in Miami, Florida at a U.S. Hot Rod Monster Jam. A crowd of around 30,000 excited spectators watched Scott attempt a dangerous step-up jump. Scott drove up a steep ramp on his motorcycle and was supposed to land into a net that was hoist high into the air. Scott jumped over 70 feet (21 m) high on his motorcycle.[3] He was meant to grab the net upon hitting it, but he missed, bounced out, and fell to the ground below. He landed on his head, broke his neck, and suffered other serious head and chest injuries. Scott was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.[4] The shocking fatality was witnessed by thousands and was caught on camera by people filming in the crowd. Scott had performed the stunt four times before with no problem. He was 28 years old at the time of his death.[5]
Aftermath
Many of the spectators in the crowd had been young children and they were deeply traumatized by witnessing the graphic death of Scott live. Parents reacted angrily and were hostile toward the organizers of the event.[6]
In 2008, the Orange Bowl stadium, where Scott performed the fatal motorcycle stunt, was completely demolished. The site is now occupied by Marlins Park, the home of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball.
References
- "Motorcyclist Dies At Show". Sun-Sentinel. Miami, Florida. February 9, 1997.
- "Corey Scott on Cycle Jumpers". CycleJumpers.
- "Jumpers Who Died". Johnny Airtime. Henderson, Nevada.
- "Motorcyclist Killed in Stunt". Associated Press. Miami, Florida. February 10, 1997.
- "Dead Stunt Rider Id'd". Sun-Sentinel. Miami, Florida. February 11, 1997.
- "Stunt Man's Death Totally Avoidable". Sun-Sentinel. Miami, Florida. March 5, 1997.