News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A medieval ‘knight’ taking part in a jousting display with rings has been killed when he was impaled on his own lance.

Crowds looked on in horror as the historic show went horrifically wrong in Kentucky, US.

Peter Barclay, 52, of Virginia, was performing at the Society for Creative Anachronism event in Williamstown on Saturday when he died, according to Cincinnati TV station WLWT.

Mr Barclay used the stage name Master Terafan Greydragon.

His brother John Barclay gave more details in a Facebook post.

He said the accident happened "when his metal-tipped lance, used for catching rings (not jousting), hit the ground and flipped."

The brother explained the lance hit Peter in the sternum and impaled him.

He died while being airlifted to a nearby hospital.

The Hamilton County Coroner's office told the paper Mr Barclay was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center from a renaissance fair in Grant County on Saturday.

The Society for Creative Anachronism is an organisation dedicated to researching and recreating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe.

It said: “The Society’s Equestrian Marshal, Master Terafan Greydragon, died while competing in an equestrian game at an SCA event in Kentucky.

“We have reached out to Terafan’s family to express our support for them at this moment of loss.

"We ask that Terafan and his family be held in your hearts."

The Society has also launched an investigation to see how a similar incident in the future could be avoided.

John’s full tribute reads: “It comes with great sadness that my younger middle brother, Peter Barclay has died. 53 years old, raised in Las Cruces NM. NMSU grad.

"He was at an equestrian/medieval event in Ohio, when his metal tipped lance, used for catching rings (not jousting), hit the ground and flipped. Freak accident.

“It impaled him under his sternum killing him. He was air lifted but died in route. He led a distinguished career as a retired Lt. Colonel in the US Army. He leaves behind his wife Deborah A. Barclay, and daughters Amy and Taryth.

"Survived by his father Jack Barclay, older brother John Barclay and younger brother Charles Barclay. He died doing what he loved, but will still be missed."