When Mike Aitken won the BMX Dirt competition at last month's AST Dew Tour stop in Salt Lake City, he did so using a conservative approach that eliminated most of the high-risk tricks his competitors were using.
The reason he chose not to hit back flip after back flip was simple — he was a family man, and he was no longer comfortable taking too many risks.
On Sunday, however, Aitken was rushed to a hospital in Pennsylvania with life-threatening injuries to his head and brain.
While filming a BMX video, he overrotated on what was a fairly routine trick — a 360-degree spin.
Landing awkwardly, Aitken was thrown from his bike and landed headfirst — breaking numerous bones in his face and bruising his brain stem.
After being sedated by medical staff, the pro BMX staff member has been unconscious since shortly after the accident. His prognosis is not fully known, but in recent days, the Murray resident has shown signs of improvement.
According to statements made by family and friends on his Web site — MikeAitken.com — he is still in a coma but is responsive.
"Mike is starting to take the first few steps down the long road to recovery. He has begun to respond to his wife Trista's voice today, shifting and moving his arms and legs (especially responding to laughter).
"Mike is still in a coma, but the fog is starting to lift," the latest update on the Web site said Thursday evening. "Trista (his wife) was able to explain to Mike what happened, and Mike moved each arm and leg to make sure for himself that he's OK. He also made an attempt to give Trista a hug and tried to open his eyes when asked."
With the couple's son, Owen, still in Utah staying with Trista's sister, Aitken is on his way back.
"Mikey is fighting this with everything he has," the site said. "Though still in a coma, when asked to hold up two fingers earlier today he was able to perform for a packed hospital room and was cheered on by family and friends."
After having feeding tubes place down his throat after the accident, Aitken had surgery on Wednesday for a tracheostomy and is now able to breathe more freely through his mouth.
"The hospital waiting room has seen a constant stream of Mike's dear friends laughing and telling stories of our beloved brother," the Web site said. "There is a strong feeling of love and hope surrounding Mike, and today's events have left everyone reassured that Mikey will fight his way through this."
His wife flew to Pennsylvania to be by his side. Coincidentally, Thursday was the couple's fourth wedding anniversary.
He was scheduled to compete next weekend at the AST Dew Tour finale in Orlando, but those plans are now, understandably, off.
Like many pro BMX riders, Aitken did not have personal health insurance at the time of his accident. The high-risk nature of the sport makes insurance companies deem most of the athletes "uninsurable."
Donations to help pay for Aitken's medical expenses are being accepted at his Web site or at the Athlete Recovery Fund — an organization established to help participants in extreme sports recover from devastating injuries.
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com