In an exclusive report by Deadline, it has been reported that HBO is still defending its safety standards after video leaked of a second accident on the set of Game of Thrones. This comes after a previous report of a $6.9 million payout to a stuntwoman in an accident that ended her career.
Deadline reports that the video, which they have not released to keep the anonymity of the leaker, reveals stuntman Andy Pilgrim (Harry Potter, The Batman) incurring a serious ankle fracture while filming the season five episode “Hardhome.”
According to Deadline, four years after the incident, Pilgrim sued the production agency. He would later settle the case for $686,000. He detailed in his complaint that the stunt was allegedly changed from the original plan after rehearsal, which originally included the wall he was performing on to be lowered by a crane. He further alleges that there were more stuntmen on the wall than in rehearsals, and the wall was allowed to fall in an uncontrollable fashion, leading it to bounce and fracture his ankle.
Deadline alleges that the video they have obtained, which they have not released, reveals the moment the wall falls forward. In it, the wall allegedly thuds, and the cables that are supposed to hold it from falling all the way still have slack. As the rest of the army rushes forward, Pilgrim remains lying in the position where he started.
Deadline reported that HBO admitted the wall fell freely, yet maintained it was Pilgrim who failed to execute a straightforward stunt and that accidents are expected in this line of work.
Deadline reports that the stunt designer, Rowley Irlam, issued a statement via HBO that claimed, “The unfortunate incident involving Mr Pilgrim took place 11 years ago. The matter was resolved between Mr Pilgrim and the production company and there were no rulings or findings of fault against me personally. Mr Pilgrim continued to work within my team for two additional seasons following the incident, serving as stunt performer and stunt safety professional only. The accusations you put forward are simply untrue and unfounded.”
The video of the scene in question can be seen below: