Joe Watts: Fast & Furious 9 stuntman ‘in coma after fall on movie set’
Written by News on 24/07/2019
A stuntman who suffered a serious head injury on the set of action movie Fast & Furious 9 is believed to have been placed in an induced coma after he was airlifted to hospital.
Joe Watts was taken by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital after being injured at Warner Brothers’ Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, shortly before midday on Monday.
It is understood he was involved in a fall.
His fiancee, Tilly Powell, reportedly said on Facebook that he had suffered a “serious head injury and is in an induced coma”.
She added: “He is stable and is being closely monitored.”
Mr Watts most recently appeared in Spider Man: Far From Home, starring Tom Holland.
Other high-profile productions he has worked on include Game of Thrones, Johnny English Strikes Again, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Actor Jason Statham said it was “absolutely awful news”.
Speaking at the premiere of Hobbs & Shaw in London, in which he stars alongside Idris Elba and Dame Helen Mirren, Statham described stuntmen as “really the unsung heroes”.
He added: “They are the ones that put themselves in harm’s way to make other people look good. It’s a real selfless act. We just wish him the best.”
As well as his stunt work, Mr Watts also teaches at a college called The Creative Academy in Slough, Berkshire, where staff said they were “saddened” to hear about his accident.
“We hope he makes a speedy recovery and send our best wishes to Joe and his family,” they added in a statement.
Work on Fast & Furious 9 was halted on Monday as police and paramedics were called to the scene.
The Health and Safety Executive has now taken over the investigation from the police.
Hertfordshire Police said their officers were called shortly after midday on Monday.
A spokesperson said: “It was reported that a man had been injured while working at the location and sustained serious injuries.
“The air ambulance attended and police officers are currently on scene to assist and carry out initial enquiries.”
Universal, the studio behind the film franchise, said on Monday: “We had an injury on the set of Fast 9 today in Leavesden with one of our stuntmen.
“We have halted production for the day to focus on this situation.”
The new blockbuster stars franchise regulars Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez, and is due for release in 2020.
Movies including the Harry Potter and James Bond franchises have also been filmed at the studios.
And it is where a Harry Potter-themed tour was opened in 2012. Fans of the boy wizard can visit the sets, including the Great Hall and Diagon Alley.
(c) Sky News 2019: Joe Watts: Fast & Furious 9 stuntman ‘in coma after fall on movie set’
