Harry Potter stuntman: paralysed Stuntman speaks out

Harry Potter’s Stunt Man Speaks Out

The year was 2009 and Warner Brothers Studio stunt man David Holmes was doing preparations for action sequences for the big budget film “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1”. The film would be the penultimate in the Harry Potter franchise and go on to make $960 million on a budget of $250 million. However, for Holmes, the preparations would mark a life altering event for him. During tests for the film’s flying sequences, the man who was Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double was severely injured leaving him paralyzed.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, he spoke of the dread he felt as he was told he would never be able to use his legs again. While practicing stunts at the studio in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, a freak explosion occurred with the equipment which cast him straight into a wall subsequently falling some distance to the ground. He remained alert, but quickly told the crew he had lost all feeling in his legs. Hospital physicians confirmed that his neck was broken in the accident and that he would not ever walk again.

Despite the dread that something terrible had happened to his body, he also felt a deep sense that he would overcome this tragedy somehow. During his initial medical treatment, Holmes recalled receiving visits from both Radcliffe and Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy. Other crew members also visited him to give their support. His own physical rehabilitation would last six months at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

Since that time, he partnered with two friends to create their own business, Ripple Productions. What is notable is that all three partners are tetraplegic. Holmes also owns a race car, modified to his physical limitations, that lets him hit speeds of 150 mph. He also gives back to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital by helping raise donations for both treatment of patients and spinal research.

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Source:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2588583/Harry-Potter-stunt-double-paralysed-horrific-accident-flying-scene-final-film-broke-neck-hurled-wall-set.html