Harry Potter stunt double reveals why he didn’t sue after accident on set left him paralysed
The Harry Potter stunt double who was left paralysed following a horrific accident has revealed why he never sued the studio behind the movie.
For years, David Holmes worked as a stunt double for Daniel Radcliffe, Tom Felton and Emma Watson.
Sadly, however, he was left paralysed following an accident on the set of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One in 2009.
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The stunt, which involved wires and a pulley system, saw Holmes plummet to the floor, breaking his neck.
Recalling the incident itself, Holmes previously said: “I hit the wall and then landed on the crash mat underneath.
"My stunt co-ordinator grabbed my hand and said, 'squeeze my fingers'. I could move my arm to grab his hand but I couldn't squeeze his fingers.
“I looked into his eyes and that's when I realised what happened was major. I remember slipping in and out of consciousness because of the pain levels.
In a situation such as this, you might expect there to be a huge legal case that follows, with the injured party suing the studio for millions.
However, Holmes has now explained why he chose not to go down that route.
His incredible story has become subject of a new documentary, David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, which was produced by his close friend, Radcliffe.
Speaking in the film, Holmes said: “Straight away, I was like, do I go for the specifics of the blame – the individuals that were in charge of each thing?”
“I was like, ‘What is people getting sacked really going to change? You’re paralysed. You’re not going to get fixed.’ It was just a catalogue of errors that led to my paralysis.”
He went on: “I had to focus on being positive, and I still do. I’m really shy against anything that brings me negativity or makes me feel negative. It’s like an allergic reaction, I just push it away as quickly as possible.”
But well as the cost of his rehabilitation, Holmes was also left without a job.
He recalled: “My biggest fear was actually, I’ve got mortgages to pay, I’ve got a life to lead, and I don’t know where I’m going to be.
"But the studio stepped up and said, ‘We’ve got insurance. You’re going to have to go through a legal process, but you’re gonna be alright.’ I’m lucky that everything was in place for me to be looked after like that."
David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived is available on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW.
Topics: TV and Film, Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Documentaries
Dominic Smithers