Stuntman Left Fighting for His Life After Plunging 30' off Balcony and Landing on Head on Set
“Fast & Furious 9” stuntman Joe Watts is reportedly in a medically induced coma after falling 30 feet and landing on his head on set.
Watts was performing a stunt on Monday, July 22, when he jumped from a balcony attached to a safety wire, only for the wire to snap, a source told The Sun.
“He was meant to be left dangling below the balcony via the wire and then lowered slowly to the ground, but he plunged to the ground and landed on his head,” the source said.
The source added that there were “gasps” and “screams” as Watts fell at least 30 feet and hit the floor. The horrific accident was caught on film and later handed over to the police.
“Vin Diesel was seen on set seconds after,” the source said. “He looked ashen, totally in shock and blinking back tears. He saw what happened.”
Filming was stopped immediately as Watts was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital. The rest of the cast and crew were sent home “fearing the worst.”
Hertfordshire Police, who were among the first responders, released a statement to BBC that read, “The incident has been referred to the Health and Safety Executive and there will be no further police involvement.”
Watts’ fiancée, Tilly Powell, posted an update on Facebook that has since been removed from the public view.
“Joe has suffered a serious head injury and is in an induced coma,” she wrote, according to a screen shot from the Mirror. “He is stable and is being monitored closely throughout the night.”
“I love him so much and my heart is shattered. He has all his family and friends by his side to get him through this,” she added.
Watts has many film and television credits to his name, including “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” “Mission: Impossible — Fallout” and “Game of Thrones.”
British media said Watts was Diesel’s stunt double, but a source familiar with production told The Hollywood Reporter otherwise.
Action star Jason Statham has shared his concern for “selfless” stuntman Joe Watts, who was seriously injured on the Fast & Furious set pic.twitter.com/WX1V91NNhv
— PA Entertainment (@PAshowbiz) July 23, 2019
There have been other tragic accidents involving “Fast & Furious” cast members, according to USA Today.
In 2013, Paul Walker was killed in a car accident when a car was being driven at high speeds crashed and burst into flames.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Watts’ family during this difficult time.
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