pslewis

A "human cannonball" stuntman plunged to his death in an accident seen by hundreds of people at a daredevil show.

Police said a safety net gave way during the stunt at the Kent County Showground at Detling.

The man, 23, had been taken to Maidstone Hospital by air ambulance with multiple head and back injuries.

The accident happened on Monday afternoon at Scott May's Daredevil Stunt Show. Witnesses said the man was launched up to 40ft in the air.

Rob Hutchinson, 42, watched with his wife and two young children as the man came out to perform his stunt to close the first half of the show.

Mr Hutchinson, a driving instructor from Tenterden, Kent, said: "The net was already up. He climbed out on top, climbed down into the tube, they gave this countdown then he came out of the tube - he was probably 30ft or 40ft in the air at least.

Scott May's show has been touring in the UK since 1991 "He turned over and then, the last picture I've got of him, you can see the net is flat on the floor, not up in the air, and he is coming down head-first towards the ground. I saw him hit the floor and bounce."

Mr Hutchinson added: "It was like a dummy being thrown..."

He said the crowd had numbered about 2,000 people, including several hundred children.

Another witness, Paul Armstrong, said he thought the stuntman had been "elevated to about 30ft in the air".

He said: "When he was approaching the safety net it seemed to collapse to the ground before he hit it."

Insp Tony Ball, of Kent Police, said the force was investigating, the Health and Safety executive had been informed and Maidstone Borough Council would also be involved.

A police spokesman said the dead man's next-of-kin had been informed but he had not been formally identified.

Scott May's show has been touring in the UK since 1991 in a season which runs from March to September.

As well as the human cannonball stunt, the show also includes pyrotechnics, motorcycle jumps and monster trucks.

Stunts UK Ltd, which is based in St Just, near Penzance, Cornwall, said it had cancelled all shows until further notice.

Source:- BBC

I could joke and say that I understood he had just be fired a few moments before the accident .... but that would be in bad taste, so I won't.

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Also, the other day, some pensioner died by falling into a water butt head first! He was found by his wife with just his feet sticking out the top!

what would scooby do

Pete, that joke was a bit of a let down coming from you

pslewis

I was just shooting from the hip ......

pslewis

But, I do understand that the incident was caught on a Canon camera ....

Chip

At least he went out with a bang.

Chip

pslewis

I understand he didn't net much from the whole affair!

what would scooby do

I wonder if anyone will be charged over this breech of health and safety?

pslewis

Do you think the press will be Muzzled?

And what about the Undertaker Rifling through his pockets?

what would scooby do

The caliber of your puns are dropping Even though I'm sure there are mortar come..

hodgy0_2

not sure howitzer gonna go down in the stuntman community tbh

what would scooby do

They may have a charity ball in his honour

SpecDscooby

I think the event organisers will come under fire for this. Someone will get fired.

hodgy0_2

good idea -- it might net a few bob

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

Can't see what all the fuse is about TBH.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

I am sure this will trigger the usual investigations and cover-ups. I am sure guilty parties will be getting their silencers out, although if they are wise they will be keeping their powder dry until the inquest.

At the end of the day though, someone will be fired for this, although if they are guilty they would be best shot of them.

hodgy0_2

christ -- some salvo Trout

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

At least the victim's relatives can take comfort that he will be canonised.

pslewis

His coffin is to be placed, not in a Hearse, but on a gun carraige ...... which is nice - do you think it will be in the touch paper?

Now, wouldn't it be great if they could fire the coffin into the hole? Knowing his luck it will get caught in the soil net!!

SpecDscooby

I would LOVE to see a coffin being fired out of a cannon into its resting place....now thats PAY PER VIEW gold!!....ESPN where are you now!

I would opt for Peter snow to commentate, or for the low brow ex sky pundit Andy Grey could do any female funerals....

Steve_PPP

iTrader: (3)

Blimey, drove past this yesterday morning on the way to the Europena Rallycross at Lydden Hill. Saw all the trucks and stuff setup in the field and wondered what kind of show it was.

DCI Gene Hunt

This thread is explosive.... goading, trolling and then someone lights the fuse stands back and watches a blast of unwanted jokes....

SpecDscooby

The guys fav film was "cannonball run"....and the spy thriller "the net".....oh the irony....

hodgy0_2

indeed -- and his fav magazine was Loaded

jonc

I'm sure he would want people to celebrate and not commiserate his life so Cannon and Ball will be there to provide entertainment to lighten mood at his wake. It's what he would have wanted....

madscoob

iTrader: (3)

when i first heard this i hoped it wasnt my old mate tony nicholls he is the one who does the car crashs used to go banger racing together the bloke is a right loon . in a way glad he isnt but feel sorry for the poor sod seeing his mate die right in front of his eyes , the show is very controlled at all times but accidents do happen, the risk they take to earn a few quid and keep people entertained

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

A pun in there as well, and he didn't even know it.

Leslie

Joking apart, I think it was a shame that the net collapsed. Sorry he lost his life at such a young age while trying to entertain the audience.

Les