Actor Vin Diesel’s stunt double, Joe Watts, is severely injured after he fell from almost 30 feet in the Fast and Furious 9 set. Joe was taken to the hospital on Monday afternoon after he fell about 30 feet from a balcony while shooting for an action sequence at the Warner Bros studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.
Vin is said to be in ‘total shock’ and ‘choking back tears’.
Joe’s fiancée Tilly Powell took to Facebook to share more about the news. She wrote: “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!”
A source close to the team told a leading media organisation, “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 source further 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. There were gasps and screams when the poor guy hit the floor. It’s horrific and obviously, all caught on camera. This was handed to police. It happened on a brand new set at the studios. Everything has now been closed on set and filming stopped. It’s a crime scene.”