Second stuntman hurt after being catapulted at Zwarte Cross festival

A stuntman was injured at the Zwarte Cross festival in the Achterhoek for the second day in a row. The latest performer, Laurent Arrabito, broke his ankle on landing after being launched by a catapult. Organizers had said beforehand that the stunts can reach speeds of up to 185 kilometers per hour.

Festival organizers said Arrabito is otherwise doing well. The injury led organizers to cancel the four remaining catapult stunts planned for the next two festival days. The catapult was specially designed for Zwarte Cross.

The day before, stuntman Jim van Nes suffered a severe concussion in the same type of stunt. He was knocked unconscious for about two minutes after his knee hit his head on landing. Van Nes was taken to a hospital and released the next morning.

"I don't feel much of it," van Nes said after his release. "If I don't move my head too much back and forth, then everything is fine."

Despite the two accidents, the festival organization said the stunts had "technically gone well."

"We have endless respect for the stuntmen," Zwarte Cross said. "What great performances these two top athletes have delivered. Praise!"