A 15-year-old Utah girl is currently in a coma after participating in a dangerous online trend known as “car surfing.” Ava Broadhead, a sophomore at Cyprus High School, was critically injured after falling from the top of a moving vehicle last Wednesday night, according to local law enforcement.
Unified police Sgt. Aymee Race explained that Broadhead was standing on top of the car while it was in motion. When she fell, she hit her head on the unforgiving pavement. The incident resulted in severe brain trauma for the young dancer.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the family’s medical expenses. The page shares that prior to the accident, Broadhead was excited about performing with her dance team at the homecoming football game and attending the homecoming dance in a dress she had recently chosen.
However, the accident has drastically changed her life. Broadhead now faces a lengthy recovery process, during which she will have to relearn basic skills such as walking, talking, and even tying her shoes.
Broadhead’s mother, Kandis, shared with Fox 13 that her daughter underwent a critical brain surgery. The incident occurred at Magna Regional Park, following the cancellation of the high school’s homecoming parade due to poor air quality.
Kandis Broadhead revealed that her daughter was participating in the car surfing trend, which, while no longer popular on TikTok, can still be found on other platforms. Ava is currently in a medically induced coma to allow her brain to rest, but her mother fears a long and challenging recovery ahead.
Sgt. Race noted that car surfing is a social media trend that has resurfaced among young people. The dangerous stunt has seen a resurgence in popularity, despite its origins dating back to the 1980s and its previous peak about a decade ago.