A ‘human cannonball’ stuntman from a St Just-based stunt Show was killed on Monday when an act went tragically wrong.
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The 23-year-old member of Scott May’s Daredevil Stunt Show was performing the closing stunt of the shows first half performance at Kent County Show ground.
This usually sees him ‘fired’ around 30-foot into the air from a cannon before landing into a safety net.
However, as a crowd of around 2,000 people, including many children, watch on in horror the safety net appeared to give way.
Audience members reported that it looked as though it collapsed before the stuntman had reached it, causing him to fall to the ground, head-first.
The man, who is understood to be from the Isle of Mann, was taken to Maidstone Hospital by air ambulance with multiple head and back injuries, but doctors were unable to save him.
Kent Police is now investigating and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed, with Maidstone Borough Council also expected to be involved.
A spokesperson for Stunts UK Ltd said yesterday that everyone was “still in shock.”
A statement posted on the company’s website yesterday read: “Scott and the team are still reeling with shock and grief over the loss of their colleague and fellow stunt performer in the tragic accident at the show yesterday afternoon. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. We would like to thank the hundreds of people who have sent such kind messages of condolence.”
All future shows have been cancelled until further notice.
Scott May's show has been touring in the UK since 1991 and has appeared at Helston Motor Show in the past. The acts also include pyrotechnics, motorcycle jumps and monster trucks.
Article the Packet
View attachment 517
The 23-year-old member of Scott May’s Daredevil Stunt Show was performing the closing stunt of the shows first half performance at Kent County Show ground.
This usually sees him ‘fired’ around 30-foot into the air from a cannon before landing into a safety net.
However, as a crowd of around 2,000 people, including many children, watch on in horror the safety net appeared to give way.
Audience members reported that it looked as though it collapsed before the stuntman had reached it, causing him to fall to the ground, head-first.
The man, who is understood to be from the Isle of Mann, was taken to Maidstone Hospital by air ambulance with multiple head and back injuries, but doctors were unable to save him.
Kent Police is now investigating and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed, with Maidstone Borough Council also expected to be involved.
A spokesperson for Stunts UK Ltd said yesterday that everyone was “still in shock.”
A statement posted on the company’s website yesterday read: “Scott and the team are still reeling with shock and grief over the loss of their colleague and fellow stunt performer in the tragic accident at the show yesterday afternoon. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time. We would like to thank the hundreds of people who have sent such kind messages of condolence.”
All future shows have been cancelled until further notice.
Scott May's show has been touring in the UK since 1991 and has appeared at Helston Motor Show in the past. The acts also include pyrotechnics, motorcycle jumps and monster trucks.
Article the Packet
