Death of a stuntman, Eastbourne

Death of a stuntman at Arlington Stadium, near Eastbourne. John Bell, aged 23, was being towed behind a car on a wooden sledge when, as part of the stunt, he fell off and was towed along on his back with the announcer screaming at the driver to stop. In fact, he was in no danger at all since beneath his tracksuit his body was protected by an inch of leather. Unfortunately one of the onlookers, believing the man was in genuine danger, scrambled through two safety barriers and ran out in front of the car to try to stop it, and the driver swerved to avoid him. John, on the end of a long cable, was flung into the safety fence and broke his back. He died before he arrived at hospital

Arlington Eastbourne Fatal Sledge Squad Stuntman Stunts Towed Towing

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