The Word Alive frontman Telle Smith has apparently broken his back, along with a rib. Despite this he plans to finish out the rest of the band’s current tour with Motionless In White, The Devil Wears Prada and more. The accident looks to have occurred at the band’s recent Pomona, CA show on November 14th.
Some footage of that night, including a backflip and a stage dive that closed the set done by Smith, can be seen below. It’s not presently clear if this is when the injury was sustained however. Smith said of his condition and planned recovery:
I think I tied the record for worst show injury… 1 broken rib, 1 fractured rib and a broken back. Went a little TOO big in Pomona! #fml
— Telle Smith (@TelleTWA) November 19, 2015
I have a brace to help me finish out the last shows we have. But I won't be going crazy so you'll have to do that for me. RIP stage dives…
— Telle Smith (@TelleTWA) November 19, 2015
For those asking, recovery time is estimated at 3-4 months so I'll be back at it hard in 2016!! Backflips included once I'm 100%????
— Telle Smith (@TelleTWA) November 19, 2015
The band themselves also commented:
“WE WILL NOT BE MISSING ANY SHOWS DUE TO Telle Smith BREAKING RIBS AND HIS BACK…
He won’t be moving much though so if you can come out and go extra hard we would love that!!
We told you that if TWA ever has missed a show it was because we absolutely couldn’t play and this should prove that!”
“Stage dive in Pomona, Telle landed on an elbow right on his back and two ribs. Broke one rib, fractured another and broke a bone in his spine.”
