'Fast & Furious 9' star Vin Diesel's stunt double plunges 30 feet to the ground during shoot, hospitalized in critical condition
After witnessing his stunt double plunge 30 feet to the ground in a horrific accident during the filming of 'Fast & Furious 9', star Vin Diesel was left in "total shock". Crew members are now fearing the worst for the stuntman.
The unnamed body double is battling a serious head injury following the accident, which happened because of a safety cable snapping on the Hertfordshire film set.
Shooting for the film was stopped immediately and the cast and the crew were sent home "fearing the worst" as the stuntman was rushed to Royal London Hospital.
"The stuntman fell at least 30 feet — maybe a bit more," according to a source. "Vin Diesel was seen on set seconds after. He looked ashen, totally in shock and blinking back tears. He saw what happened."
It was around noon that the stuntman, who was said to be acting out Diesel's role in 'Fast & Furious 9', fell. Police confirm that they attended to the incident and are carrying out inquiries.
"They were filming a very high balcony scene. The stuntman leaped from the balcony attached to a safety wire, but it looks like the cable snapped," the source informed. "He was meant to be left dangling below the balcony on the wire and then lowered slowly to the ground, but he plunged to the ground and landed on his head."
"There were gasps and screams when the poor guy hit the floor. It's horrific and obviously, all caught on camera. This was handed to the police. It happened on a brand new set at the studios. Everything has now been closed on set and filming stopped. It's a crime scene."
"An ambulance, three ambulance officer vehicles and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance were called to Leavesden Studios shortly before midday today, following reports of a man injured in a fall," a spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service reportedly said. "One patient with a serious head injury was transported to the Royal London Hospital by air ambulance."
This is not the first time that Diesel has brushed with a tragedy like this. Harry O'Connor, his stunt double, was killed during the filming of a para-sailing scene for 'xXx'.
'Fast & Furious 9' is due to release next year and stars Michelle Rodriguez, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron and John Cena, apart from Diesel.