Daniel Radcliffe's stunt double 'paralysed' after explosion on film set of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows



Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double has suffered serious spinal injuries on the set of the latest Harry Potter film.

David Holmes was rehearsing a flying scene involving an explosion when he plummeted to the ground.

He remained conscious but told crew members: ‘I can’t feel my legs.’ He was taken to hospital as fears grew that he had suffered a paralysing back injury.

Injured: David Holmes, left, with Daniel Radcliffe on the set of The Goblet of Fire



Mr Holmes, 25, a former competitive gymnast, has been rehearsing scenes for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows at the Leavesden film studios near Watford.

Things went wrong on Wednesday as he was practicing a flying sequence in a harness.

An explosion, which was part of the stunt, caused him to fall to the ground.

A source said: ‘It is thought he may have been caught by the explosion and hit the ground very hard.

Accident scene: Leavesden Studios, near Watford, where the stuntman was filming for the latest Harry Potter film when he was injured in an explosion on set



‘He told crew members who went to help him he couldn’t feel anything from the waist down.



'Everyone is just hoping he makes a good recovery. It has come as a terrible shock.’

Mr Holmes, who has worked as Radcliffe’s body double on all the Potter films, was initially taken to A&E at Watford General Hospital,

but transferred to a specialist spinal injury hospital when the extent of his injuries became apparent.

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His parents are understood to be by his bedside at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, North-West London.

Last night, there was no answer at the home in Leigh- on- Sea, Essex, Mr Holmes shares with 24-year-old Gemma Crowley, who is believed to be his girlfriend.

A spokesman for Leavesden studios said: ‘We can confirm that a

member of the Harry Potter production was injured in an accident that took place on Wednesday.

‘Out of respect for his family, we are unable to comment further at this stage, but can confirm that it was not a member of the cast.’

Footage from all of the Harry Potter movies has been filmed at Leavesden Studios, which has permanent sets for Dumbledore's study and Hagrid's hut



Mr Holmes is featured on the DVD bonus features for Harry Potter And The Goblet of Fire. Radcliffe is shown asking him for advice before he shoots a scene where he has to slide off a roof.

Holmes, who is wearing Harry Potter glasses and a brown wig for the scene, reassures the actor and gives him a pat on the arm.

Radcliffe, 19, has spoken about the stunts which Mr Holmes is required to perform. ‘I do the majority of the stunts but there are some where it’s too high a risk,’ he said.



The actor also described Mr Holmes as an ‘amazing gymnast’.

It is not known whether Radcliffe, who is currently in New York, has been made aware of the accident.