Just before a commercial break on the Army’s 240th Birthday/Flag Day, Fox News talking head Pete Hegseth decided it would be cool to throw an ax while cameras rolled on Fox & Friends — a show he tag teams with several other bushy-tailed broadcasters.

The heavy metal blade on a thick wooden stick released from Hegseth’s hand, flew through the air and somehow, someway almost dismembered a member of the West Point marching band who was standing a safe distance away from where the ax was supposed to land: on a wooden wall holding a large, vividly-painted target.

The West Point drummer’s name is Jef Prosperie. He’s a member of the Hellcats — an “ensemble of buglers and rudimentary drummers” and a more than 220 year-old tradition.

Jef took the time to walk everyone through the insane ordeal via a post on his Facebook account. Here’s how he remembered it:

I was hit by an axe while performing a drum solo live on National TV…..words I never imagined saying! This happened last Sunday and I have been reluctant to post but starting to receive inquiries from concerned family and friends. I am thankful to God that the double sided blade only hit broadside on the outer elbow with significant impact and a couple of cuts as it fell along my wrist. It could have been much worse or fatal. Focusing on full physical and emotional recovery.

Pat, we were doing commercial bumps on Fox and Friends Sunday morning celebrating the Army’s 240th birthday and flag day. My leadership told me they were told there would be no axe throwing. I think the anchor person went rogue and decided to throw it. He had only thrown it once before in practice for an upcoming segment and they told him to throw it with more force. The vid you see is edited showing the Televised portion of the throw and then edited to a portion that was taken on someone’s phone of us being videoed. The part that was actually televised showed the overthrown axe and then segued to us for the drum solo bump, only showing me walking behind the section holding my arm. The actual part where the axe hit me was not televised. Poor decision, obvious negligence, should not have happened, could have been avoided. When shooting or throwing, always know what is behind your target. Basic safety rule. I’m feeling blessed on Father’s day with my 5 children, alive, and with all limbs.

To see the amateur video of Prosperie getting beaned by the big cutting edge, click here.

Gawker