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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Man killed filming Batman stunt | Man killed filming Batman stunt |
| (4 days later) | |
| A special effects technician was killed filming a stunt for the latest Batman film as he leaned out of a vehicle which hit a tree, an inquest has heard. | A special effects technician was killed filming a stunt for the latest Batman film as he leaned out of a vehicle which hit a tree, an inquest has heard. |
| Conway Wickliffe, 41, was operating a camera from the back seat of a moving Nissan 4x4 which failed to negotiate a bend at a site in Longcross, Surrey. | Conway Wickliffe, 41, was operating a camera from the back seat of a moving Nissan 4x4 which failed to negotiate a bend at a site in Longcross, Surrey. |
| He was pronounced dead at a test site near Chertsey where filming for Batman: The Dark Knight was being held. | |
| A jury is hearing the two-day inquest at Woking Coroner's Court. | A jury is hearing the two-day inquest at Woking Coroner's Court. |
| The court was told Mr Wickliffe, a father of two originally from New Zealand, was in the back seat of the vehicle, which was driving alongside a stunt car. Instead of turning on to the service road it carried on and I saw it impact the tree Crew member Ian Mitchell | The court was told Mr Wickliffe, a father of two originally from New Zealand, was in the back seat of the vehicle, which was driving alongside a stunt car. Instead of turning on to the service road it carried on and I saw it impact the tree Crew member Ian Mitchell |
| The accident happened during a test run for a scene in which the Batmobile is blown up. | The accident happened during a test run for a scene in which the Batmobile is blown up. |
| An old American police car was being used as the unmanned "rocket car" in a car park area at the former military site. | An old American police car was being used as the unmanned "rocket car" in a car park area at the former military site. |
| It was being fired off a ramp by a "black powder cannon" while pyrotechnic explosions in the boot were set off. | It was being fired off a ramp by a "black powder cannon" while pyrotechnic explosions in the boot were set off. |
| As the vehicle landed a further cannon inside the car was fired to flip it over, the jury heard. | As the vehicle landed a further cannon inside the car was fired to flip it over, the jury heard. |
| The inquest heard that Mr Wickliffe was in the back seat of the 4x4, leaning out of the window and facing backwards to capture the shot. | The inquest heard that Mr Wickliffe was in the back seat of the 4x4, leaning out of the window and facing backwards to capture the shot. |
| But the car, being driven by another special effects technician, Bruce Monroe-Armstrong, failed to make a 90 degree turn at the end of the run, and hit the tree. | But the car, being driven by another special effects technician, Bruce Monroe-Armstrong, failed to make a 90 degree turn at the end of the run, and hit the tree. |
| 'Maintained control' | 'Maintained control' |
| Mr Armstrong told the court that he carried out three test runs before the fatal collision, the final two with Mr Wickliffe in the back. | Mr Armstrong told the court that he carried out three test runs before the fatal collision, the final two with Mr Wickliffe in the back. |
| He said he believed he had maintained control of the vehicle and said although he saw the police car out of the corner of his eye, he didn't take his eyes off the road. | He said he believed he had maintained control of the vehicle and said although he saw the police car out of the corner of his eye, he didn't take his eyes off the road. |
| Pc Stuart Cameron, from Surrey Police, who examined the scene, said that he established that the average speed of the Nissan 4x4 was 34mph. | Pc Stuart Cameron, from Surrey Police, who examined the scene, said that he established that the average speed of the Nissan 4x4 was 34mph. |
| He said that maximum speed the vehicle could have taken the bend at was 22mph. | He said that maximum speed the vehicle could have taken the bend at was 22mph. |
| He said: "The police car launched a little bit ahead of the Nissan. | He said: "The police car launched a little bit ahead of the Nissan. |
| "It is speculation on my part but I think the Nissan was trying to keep pace and that is why it went as a bit faster than planned and when it tried to take the bend it couldn't." | "It is speculation on my part but I think the Nissan was trying to keep pace and that is why it went as a bit faster than planned and when it tried to take the bend it couldn't." |
| Loved his job | Loved his job |
| Mr Wickliffe had worked on a number of blockbuster films, including Batman Begins and the James Bond film, Casino Royale. | Mr Wickliffe had worked on a number of blockbuster films, including Batman Begins and the James Bond film, Casino Royale. |
| His partner Dee Chase earlier told the inquest that he loved his job and loved life, taking part in extreme sports such as snowboarding and parachute jumping. | His partner Dee Chase earlier told the inquest that he loved his job and loved life, taking part in extreme sports such as snowboarding and parachute jumping. |
| His death was the first of a number of disasters to hit the Dark Knight movie. | His death was the first of a number of disasters to hit the Dark Knight movie. |
| Heath Ledger, 28, who played film villain The Joker, died of an accidental drugs overdose in January. | Heath Ledger, 28, who played film villain The Joker, died of an accidental drugs overdose in January. |
| Christian Bale, who starred as Batman, was accused of assaulting his mother and sister on a trip to London but no charges were brought. | Christian Bale, who starred as Batman, was accused of assaulting his mother and sister on a trip to London but no charges were brought. |
| Then fellow actor Morgan Freeman suffered serious injuries in a car crash in Mississippi in August. | Then fellow actor Morgan Freeman suffered serious injuries in a car crash in Mississippi in August. |
| The film's closing credits carry a dedication "in memory of our friends Heath Ledger and Conway Wickliffe". | The film's closing credits carry a dedication "in memory of our friends Heath Ledger and Conway Wickliffe". |
| The inquest continues. | The inquest continues. |