The Vin Diesel stunt double fighting for his life after an accident on the set of Fast & Furious 9 has been identified.
Joe Watts has been placed in an induced coma after suffering a head injury, his heartbroken fiancée Tilly Powell has said.
Tilly, who is also a stunt performer, shared an update on her husband-to-be online.
She wrote in a Facebook post, which has since disappeared: “I’m hoping you all understand why I can’t get back to all your messages individually.
“I’m writing this to update everyone at once. Joe has suffered a serious head injury and is in an induced coma. He is stable and is being monitored closely throughout the night.
“I love him so much and my heart is shattered. He has all his family and friends by his side to get him through this!”
Hollywood star Vin is said to be “tearful” and in “total shock” after stuntman Joe plunged 30ft from a balcony and landed on his head.
He was airlifted to hospital after being injured in the accident, feared to have been caused by a snapped cable.
Vin, 52, who plays Dominic Toretto in the movies, was left in shock after the accident at Warner Bros studios in Levesden, Herts.
Filming was immediately halted and the cast and crew were sent home “fearing the worst” as the stunt double was taken to Royal London Hospital.
A source told The Sun : “The stuntman fell at least 30ft – maybe a bit more. Vin Diesel was seen on set seconds after. He looked ashen, totally in shock and blinking back tears. He saw what happened.”
The accident happened just before midday on Monday, and police confirmed they attended the scene to carry out inquiries.
The source added: “They were filming a very high balcony scene. The stuntman leapt from the balcony attached to a safety wire, but it looks like the cable snapped.
“He was meant to be left dangling below the balcony via the wire and then lowered slowly to the ground, but he plunged to the ground and landed on his head.”
The insider said there were “gasps” and “screams” as Joe hit the floor, and that the horrifying accident was caught on camera, with the footage being handed to police.
They added that the brand new set has now been closed down and is considered a “crime scene”.
It’s believed Joe was acting as a stunt double for Vin in the movie, and that he had acted as a stand-in for the star before.
Joe has a long list of credits to his name as a stunt performer.
He’s worked on movies including Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Spider-Man: Far From Home.
He’s also worked on a number of TV shows, including Good Omens and Game Of Thrones.
Source: https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/vin-diesel-stunt-double-fighting-18668269