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Death of a stuntman, Eastbourne
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Death of a stuntman, Eastbourne
Death of a stuntman at Arlington Stadium, near Eastbourne. John Bell, aged 23, was being towed behind a car on a wooden sledge when, as part of the stunt, he fell off and was towed along on his back with the announcer screaming at the driver to stop. In fact, he was in no danger at all since beneath his tracksuit his body was protected by an inch of leather. Unfortunately one of the onlookers, believing the man was in genuine danger, scrambled through two safety barriers and ran out in front of the car to try to stop it, and the driver swerved to avoid him. John, on the end of a long cable, was flung into the safety fence and broke his back. He died before he arrived at hospital. Date: 1972
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Media ID 32225100
© Mary Evans Picture Library/DAVID
1972 Accident Action Arlington Bell Danger Dangerous Destruction Eastbourne Fatal Fence Raining Sledge Spectators Squad Stadium Stunt Stuntman Stunts Towed Towing Track Umbrella Umbrellas Watching
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting print captures the tragic moment of the Death of a stuntman at Arlington Stadium near Eastbourne in 1972. John Bell, a 23-year-old thrill-seeker, was performing a daring stunt where he was towed behind a car on a wooden sledge. As part of the act, he fell off and was dragged along on his back with the announcer desperately shouting for the driver to stop.
Despite being protected by an inch of leather beneath his tracksuit, tragedy struck when an onlooker misinterpreted the situation and ran onto the track to try to stop the car. In an attempt to avoid hitting him, the driver swerved and flung John into the safety fence, resulting in a fatal injury that claimed his life before he could reach hospital.
The image captures not only the chaos and danger of this fatal accident but also showcases how quickly things can go wrong in high-risk stunts like these. The crowd's shocked expressions and umbrellas raised against the rain add to the somber atmosphere surrounding this devastating event at Arlington Stadium. This photograph serves as a stark reminder of both the allure and risks associated with extreme stunts in motor racing during that era.
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