ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona woman barely escapes with her life in viral ax-throwing video

Apr 11, 2019, 10:06 AM | Updated: Apr 15, 2019, 2:03 pm

PHOENIX — An Arizona woman barely escaped with her life in a hair-raising video that went viral on social media this week.

Ainsley Oates posted a photo of her throwing an ax at an ax-throwing facility (yes, that’s a thing) in New York, but it didn’t go as planned.

Oates threw the ax at a target — where it was likely supposed to land — but instead it bounced off the floor and flew back toward her head.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

That axe almost got me 😯😯😯 . . . Thanks @camdhuber for capturing this… so glad it missed you!

A post shared by ainsrae (@ainsrae) on

Luckily, Oates’ quick reflexes came in handy. She ducked just before the ax flew over her head — and stood up with a hair flip and a laugh.

“At first I didn’t know what actually happened but then over time, watching it over and over again, I just started laughing at myself,” Oates told Inside Edition.

“Oh my gosh, I am so glad I didn’t get hit in the head.”

Oates said her athletic ability was to thank for her jaw-dropping dodge, which has been viewed nearly 200,000 times on her Instagram alone since Monday.

Mathew Sylvester, the owner of the Brooklyn venue called Bury the Hatchet, said the target that Oates was at did not have an impact board to help stop the ax from popping back up.

But he told the television show that, ultimately, Oates’ throw was too powerful.

“This is so terrible,” Sylvester said. “There is a little too much power in a little later in her release, otherwise she would have done fine.”

Marc Lamber, a personal injury attorney, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Bruce St. James and Pamela Hughes Show said these kind of facilities are just not safe — especially if they serve alcohol.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

southern Arizona rancher George Alan Kelly...

Associated Press

Jurors don’t have a verdict yet in an Arizona rancher’s trial for fatally shooting a migrant

A jury in southern Arizona is still deliberating in the trial of a rancher charged with fatally shooting an unarmed migrant on his property near the U.S.-Mexico border.

6 minutes ago

During an earnings call on April 18, 2024, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. said engineer...

Amy Edelen/Phoenix Business Journal

Wafer production underway at TSMC’s Phoenix factory; Q1 earnings beat expectations

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is making “significant progress” on its north Phoenix site with engineering wafer production already underway.

2 hours ago

Repeat killer sentenced to life in prison after murdering girlfriend...

KTAR.com

Tempe man sentenced to life in prison for murdering girlfriend

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said it sentenced Gary Cox, 60, a repeat killer, to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend.

3 hours ago

Mugshot of Alvin Massenburg II, who was arrested April 17, 2024, in connection with a fatal shootin...

KTAR.com

Suspect arrested 2 days after deadly shooting at Phoenix smoke shop

An arrest has been made in a Phoenix smoke shop shooting that left one man dead earlier this week, authorities announced Friday.

4 hours ago

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks to reporters in Phoenix after the state Supreme Court up...

Kevin Stone

Arizona’s near-total abortion ban can’t be enforced before June 8, AG Kris Mayes tells providers

Arizona's near-total abortion ban can't be enforced before June 8, the state's top legal officer told medical providers this week.

5 hours ago

Harrison Ward was arrested on April 18, 2024, for his alleged role in a fatal Gilbert crash. (Maric...

KTAR.com

Wrong-way driver arrested in Gilbert after fatal crash

A man was arrested in Gilbert on Thursday for his role in a fatal, early morning wrong-way crash, authorities said.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Condor Airlines

Condor Airlines can get you smoothly from Phoenix to Frankfurt on new A330-900neo airplane

Adventure Awaits! And there's no better way to experience the vacation of your dreams than traveling with Condor Airlines.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

Sciatica pain is treatable but surgery may be required

Sciatica pain is one of the most common ailments a person can face, and if not taken seriously, it could become one of the most harmful.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

The 51st annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade is excitingly upon us

The 51st annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe is upon us! The attraction honors Arizona and the history of the game.

Arizona woman barely escapes with her life in viral ax-throwing video