EXCLUSIVE Footage reveals the fate of mystery daredevil whose backflips down cheese-rolling hill went viral
A daredevil cheese-rolling contestant whose backflips went viral on social media was 'reluctantly' led away by paramedics at the bottom of the hill, MailOnline can reveal.
The man, who was dressed in a cloak and coined himself the 'Cheese Wizard', was seen doing flying somersaults down the steep descent in Gloucestershire on Bank Holiday Monday.
Members of the crowd at the event - which sees racers pursue a wheel of 7lb Double Gloucester cheese - looked on in horror as he landed flat on his back.
However a fellow contestant, who spoke to the 'Cheese Wizard' at the top of the hill, has now said he saw him trying to walk off on his own after the fall.
It comes as new footage of the man, who reportedly escaped without breaking any bones, appears to show him being led away arm-in-arm by paramedics.
An air ambulance was also seen landing in a field nearby and another contestant was rushed to hospital after being carried away on a stretcher.
The witness, who wanted to remain anonymous told MailOnline: 'The videos of him are absolutely insane and his fall got an absolutely huge reaction from the crowd.
'The paramedics swarmed around him when he got to the bottom. His fall was the most spectacular I have ever seen at the event.
A fellow contestant, who spoke to the 'Cheese Wizard' at the top of the hill, has said he saw him trying to walk off on his own after the fall
'I went last year too and I haven't seen anything quite as extreme.
'He tried to walk off straight away and I got the video of him being taken away by paramedics. He managed to walk off while being held by them.'
The witness explained that he spoke to the man at the top of the hill and that he called himself the 'Cheese Wizard'.
He said: 'I think the [backflips] were intentional. At the top he just seemed super amped up.
'He just seemed like a crazy guy. He was also telling me about how he crashed a wedding last week.'
'I didn't think he was local - he said he had come as he really liked cheese,' the contestant added.
It comes as photos from this year's event show an air ambulance landing in a field nearby and another contestant being carried away on a stretcher.
Organisers were also forced to call in rugby players to stop flying participants after the council banned the cheese-rolling event due to safety fears.
One local posted on X: 'I'm 10 minutes from where this is. It's technically [been] an unofficial event for some time because the council banned it (safety).
'So they get lads from the local rugby teams to tackle those who come down the hill.'
Will Matthews, 23, also spoke to the man who somersaulted down the hill before the start of the race.
The gardener from Thornbury, Gloucestershire, said according to The Sun: 'He was dressed as a wizard and he said his name was Tye.
'Apparently he was trying to break the record for the fastest descent.
'I understand he was in the pub afterwards. There were a few people who had to go to hospital with injuries but he wasn't one of them.'
Every year dozens of hardy racers hurtle down Cooper's Hill at Brockworth in pursuit of a 7lb Double Gloucester cheese.
The renowned bank holiday tradition began as a small local event but now garners worldwide media attention.
The official competition was cancelled back in 2010 due to health and safety fears - but rebel cheese rollers have been staging their own unofficial event.
This year's race prompted a safety warning from the local ambulance, police and fire services, who said they could be overwhelmed if there were 'mass causalities'.
But it went ahead as planned, with Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old YouTuber from Munich, retaining the title he won last year.
After taking an early lead and seeing the win through, he told the BBC: 'I've never felt better in my life.
'This year I just gave it everything I had - I just dashed forward and tried to get the win, and then I just blacked out.'
Mr Kopke, 23, added: 'It was crazy. This year was different. Last year the hill was muddy and this year it was dry and dangerous and people got injured.
The second men's race was won by Luke Preece, from Gloucester, who flew down the hill race dressed in a Superman costume.
He said afterwards: 'I am absolutely buzzed, amazing - the adrenaline. My dad did it. I can't believe it, it's amazing.'
The women's race was won by Ava Sender Logan, 20, who was racing for the Refugee Community Kitchen, which supports displaced people in northern France and homeless people in London and Edinburgh.
The university student from London said: 'This is my first time. I thought it was such a tradition, and I will probably feel it tomorrow. I can't believe it, I can't believe it.
'"It felt quite long coming down and then I hit my head. I'm down, that's what matters. I'm fine".'
During the event, competitors chase the cheese down the 180m-high hill, with many tripping and tumbling on their way.
The first runners to catch the cheese, which can reach speeds of up to 70mph, are declared victors in various races across the event that dates back to the 1800s.
But competing is not without its risks - in 1993, 15 people were injured in the racing, four of them seriously hurt, and officials have ramped up warnings in recent years.
In 2009 and 2011 the race was cancelled over safety concerns but the event has continued unofficially, though the 2020 and 2021 versions were called off as a result of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions before a return in June 2022.
Long-time cheese-maker Rod Smart, who has produced cheese for the chase for more than 25 years, once again provided the wheels for this year's event.
Four cheeses weighing about 3kg each and three smaller ones, weighing about 1.5kg, are used.
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