Harrison Ford Could Have Died In Star Wars Set Incident, Court Hears (theguardian.com)

An anonymous reader writes: While filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Harrison Ford almost died when he was crushed by a hydraulic door on the set of the Millennium Falcon. He was reportedly knocked to the ground and crushed beneath the heavy door when he walked on to the set not believing it to be live. The 71-year-old actor suffered a broken left leg. Prosecutor Andrew Marshall said the door "could have killed somebody. The fact that it didn't was because an emergency stop was activated," he said. The company responsible, Foodles Production, pleaded guilty to two breaches under health and safety legislation, one count under section two of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which related to a breach of duty in relation to employees, and a second under section three, a breach over people not employed by the company. The lawyer for Foodles Production, which is owned by Disney, said the company would contest the level of risk involved on August 22nd at Aylesbury crown court.

Comments

SPACE IS NOT SAFE!

[Anonymous Coward]

Not even ... a long, long time ago!

Re:SPACE IS NOT SAFE!

[ChunderDownunder]

Hello?! It's called Star Wars. You expect space conflict without casualties?

Spare a thought for the families of countless unnamed stormtroopers that the Millennium Falcon vanquished in battle, whose children now grow up without a dad. Now some old veteran escapes with a broken leg? Spare me.

Re:SPACE IS NOT SAFE!

[Anonymous Coward]

I would rather see Star Peace: The Empire Kicks Back. It's the story of a galactic empire that is well run and all of the people are happy and get along.

Re:SPACE IS NOT SAFE!

[quenda]

It can be!
Star Trek showed how to make it safe in a studio long ago: use stage-hands to operate the doors, and add the sound effects later.

Also: falling polystyrene boulders are much safer than real ones.

We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

We shouldn't focus on space, but instead of how to get rid of all those muslim and mexican invaders who are here illegally and who rape our women, and bring in drugs, radical islamic terrorism, and crime.

Re:We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

I like the Muslims and Mexicans. They've got great food, great music and a long, rich cultural history. Most cities and towns with Muslim and Mexican communities are vibrant friendly places. Those freaky Orange mutants with the weird semi-detached hair on the other hand. Hang around them too long and you get nothing but hate, lies, bad hair and stinky fake tan.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

I dare you to visit Syria, Iran or Iraq since you love Muslims and they love you. Hope you make it back alive.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Whites must be exterminated.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

And I dare you to visit Indonesia, the most populous muslim country in the world. My guess is you'll make it back just fine.

Pathetic ignorant little piece of shit.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Indonesia is a far cry from the Middle East and you know it. Stop with the zero-sum BS. The Indonesian government takes an active role in seeking out and quelling extremism while no country in the Middle East save Saudi Arabia does.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Those are Asians. Asians > sand niggers.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Been to Indonesia and am currently in Malaysia... Doing just fine do far

Re:We need trump to stop this madness

[B33rNinj4]

Fear not! As soon as he's elected, he'll begin building a wall around Earth.

Re:We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes. Visiting them is nice when you pay with your US dollars. Try living next to those "friendly" faces when you're tipping your US dollars or like to live your life in peace.

Fun fact, most places tolerate the tourists to a certain extent. They despise you and merely see you as a cash cow. That goes for "white" places as well.

Now, please proceed to the nearest exit to return to your fantasy land.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, East Timor is such a great example of the Indonesian peace.

It's nice to have an idyllic view of Muslim countries when you never lived there as a non-Muslim.

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[MooseTick]

Does Israel not count?

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, it's almost as if "All X are Y" is a fallacy whether it's positive for negative!

Re: We need trump to stop this madness

[Nehmo]

...takes an active role in seeking out and quelling extremism ... Saudi Arabia does.

Saudi Arabia itself is Sunni Islam extremism. If it quells non-government extremism, it's either anti- ruling family, Shia, or some differing other Sunni sect.

Re:We need trump to stop this madness

[Anonymous Coward]

Dyson spheres FTW!

could have died != almost died

[raburton]

Not even the linked article claimed this.

Re:could have died != almost died

[Camel Pilot]

"Andrew Marshall, prosecuting, said the breaches had caused a “risk of death” and that if the emergency stop had not been pressed in time, it could have been a very different outcome for Ford. “It could have killed somebody. The fact that it didn’t was because an emergency stop was activated,”

Re:could have died != almost died

[Anonymous Coward]

At least they didn't say he was 'mostly dead' and Mark Hamil brought him back with the Force and magic chocolate pill. Or am I mixing my movies!?!?! ;-)

Re:could have died != almost died

[NormalVisual]

"Andrew Marshall, prosecuting, said the breaches had caused a “risk of death” and that if the emergency stop had not been pressed in time

Why was there only a manual E-stop on it? Something that big and heavy should also have had hidden light curtains or other automated means of stopping it.

Re:could have died != almost died

[Deadstick]

When a hydraulic actuator breaks your leg, it's entirely fair to say your life was in danger.

Re:could have died != almost died

[tomhath]

Something that big and heavy should also have had hidden light curtains or other automated means

Gosh, you think? Maybe they should face criminal charges for not doing just that. Oh wait...they are.

Re:could have died != almost died

[TsuruchiBrian]

Harrison Ford could have had a brain aneurysm on the set and died, but he didn't. He did however have a large piece of machinery crush his leg. Did this large piece of machinery "almost" crush more vital parts of his body? That depends on whatever your personal threshold for the word "almost" is. Given the proximity of the leg to vital organs in a human body, I don't have a problem with the phrase "almost died". I think I'd prefer "almost killed" because "almost died" seems to imply that he almost died from the injuries he did get, not from the injuries he almost got, but I think that's splitting hairs.

Re:could have died != almost died

[No Longer an AC]

Am I the only who is struck by this wording in the article?

the door "could have killed somebody. The fact that it didn't was because an emergency stop was activated,"

So, the door could have killed Deckard, but there was an "emergency stop" which apparently prevented his death, even though he was still injured.

It sounds to me that although imperfect, the prop had safety features which prevented him from being killed.

based on what little I know of the actual details, I'm going to say the prop company did their due diligence. Sometimes things can be dangerous, but there was an "emergency stop" which prevented his death.

Re:could have died != almost died

[Megol]

One can die of a broken leg, in fact it's not that unusual. One can die of a tiny cut but it is still very unusual - antibiotics still works in most cases.

Re:could have died != almost died

[TsuruchiBrian]

Sure there are some broken legs that are life threatening. I was under the impression that the injury Harrison Ford actually suffered was not, even though the situation that caused his injury seems to have been.

Re: could have died != almost died

[Crookdotter]

Inconceivable!

Re:could have died != almost died

[Anonymous Coward]

It could have been worse, he could have been driving a late model Jeep Grand Cherokee!

Re:could have died != almost died

[ultranova]

When a hydraulic actuator breaks your leg, it's entirely fair to say your life was in danger.

If the R2 had wanted to kill him, he'd be dead. This was just a friendly little chat about... respect.

And he still has his other kneecap. Just saying.

Re: could have died != almost died

[Ann O'Nymous-Coward]

I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Oh no!

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh no... the horror... COULD HAVE DIED. Fuck, around here you're LIKELY to die if you drive on the road after 8pm.

You could die every time you walk out your front door. You could even die in your house. Hell, space aliens from the planet Zorg could kill us all.

Re:Oh no!

[Anonymous Coward]

You could also die by having that unsafe hydraulic door closing on your chest or head, instead of your legs.

That's the "could have" part... and that's pretty darn close to actual death.

(And it being a set doesn't exonerate you from basic safety precautions when designing hydraulic stuffs... particularly in big productions...)

Re:Oh no!

[Anonymous Coward]

Space aliens from the planet Zorg could kill us all.

We still have around 381 years before they get here.

I'm sure he did!

[Anonymous Coward]

http://makeagif.com/y7fPkK

Could Have Killed Somebody?

[Anonymous Coward]

From some of his recent performances, I thought Harrison Ford was already dead. Or perhaps even undead!

There comes a time when you should withdraw from the limelight. That time differs for everyone, but for Harrison Ford it was about ten years ago.

Re:Could Have Killed Somebody?

[Archfeld]

I came to say something like the above, but the AC has summed it up pretty well. I am sorry Harrison Ford was injured but sometimes it takes extreme circumstances to save the rest of humanity from Ford killing any more of our childhood dreams.

Re:Could Have Killed Somebody?

[Anonymous Coward]

To be fair, wasn't Ford the one who insisted on that spoiler happening so that he would be released from the franchise?

FUCK ALLAH

[Anonymous Coward]

Fuck Allah. Fuck Islam. It's about time police start shooting terrorists with bullets dipped in pig blood and bury the bodies of the terrorists with dead pigs. After enough of the assholes believe the terrorists are going to hell, maybe they'll stop. Or perhaps we should fly over areas controlled by ISIL and spray them with pig blood. FUCK THESE ISLAMIC MOTHERFUCKERS!

Re: FUCK ALLAH

[Anonymous Coward]

I have reason to believe you are a terrorist. Police please shoot to kill.

Re:FUCK ALLAH

[Anonymous Coward]

Yeah what he said .... FUCK RELIGION you fucking fucks!

Re: FUCK ALLAH

[Anonymous Coward]

When two Muslims storm a Catholic church, slit the throat of a priest saying mass, then proceed to do some kind of 'Arabic sermon' around the altar, and take hostages, there can be little doubt of their motives. These two had previously tried to go to Syria to join ISIL. There is no doubt that they are terrorists. It is a disgusting and sickening act that must not be tolerated.

Re: FUCK ALLAH

[Anonymous Coward]

When two Muslims ....

Sort of true, but irrelevant. What differentiates these two from the general population is not that they are muslims - it's almost useless for predicting if people will be violent or not. It's the fact that they are Wahhabist. Wahhabists are more of a threat to normal muslims than to anyone else. The Wahhabists are our common enemy and our bond with non-Wahhabist, civilised muslims is critical to our success. Thus, anyone who tries to link these two groups is supporting terrorism and should be imprisoned. Probably for the rest of their natural lives. .

Re:FUCK ALLAH

[Anonymous Coward]

When your solution is to spray people with blood so their immortal soul burns in hell* maybe, just maybe, you are a radical extremist.

(*) Note they do not actually believe this will cause them to burn in Hell. It's just quite rude.

Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Anonymous Coward]

I assume Mr. Ford has not been around enough heavy equipment to that you consider it live unless you can see the lockout.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[BitterOak]

I'm sure the defense will raise this. All this article talks about is what the prosecution alleges.

Re: Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Anonymous Coward]

its a door. on a set. during which he walks through said door.

but there was an emergency stop and someone to push it, so the outcome described was not likely. its not an escalator at a mall.. nobody was going to get killed anymore than at shop class.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Anonymous Coward]

What defense?
This is OSHA and workman's comp.
I assume he got workman's comp.
The accident is being investigate since it involved serious injury.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Shimbo]

I'm sure the defense will raise this. All this article talks about is what the prosecution alleges.

The defence probably didn't say a lot more than to enter a formal guilty plea. The prosecution just had to outline the severity of the case enough for the magistrate to refer it to a higher court for sentencing.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[lgw]

I assume Mr. Ford has not been around enough heavy equipment to that you consider it live unless you can see the lockout.

This was a movie set. There's basically 2 overriding rules about safety on a movie set:
* Don't depend on the actors to be smart enough, or paying enough attention, to get anything right.
* There's no excuse for injuring an actor. That's just about the worst thing you can be responsible for.

Everything potentially dangerous on a big-budget movie set is supposed to have a minder - both because the actors' full attention should be on their roles, and because it's a movie set, and dangerous-looking things are often props.

From the (one-sided) summary, this was a massive fuckup, on the order of having a real gun mixed in with prop guns, or carelessness with pyro.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[phantomfive]

That's not something they teach in high school. At least, not in the US.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Anonymous Coward]

The thing is that this isn't something anyone would ordinarily call 'heavy equipment.' How many elevators have you gone through? Automated doors? Drop-arm turnstiles? (The kind like saloon doors.) How many times have you once thought "I better make sure this has proper signage, clearance, procedure, and make sure I filled out a ISO 9000 before operating this equipment?"

I bet this approaches zero.

The problem here is that one has a reasonable expectation that an automated door will behave like every other automated door they have come in contact with; mild actuation force, multiple safety interlocks (light curtain, pressure sensor for anything jamming them, etc), and general idiot proofing. And yes, this extends (or should extend, at least) to set pieces, because your brain has been trained all your life to assume that your automated door isn't going to Hudralick Press Shannel on your leg.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[AK Marc]

I assume you walk through no doors until they have been locked out? How do you mange to go to a store with all those automatic doors that aren't locked out while you travel through them?

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Trogre]

From the (one-sided) summary, this was a massive fuckup, on the order of having a real gun mixed in with prop guns, or carelessness with pyro.

I hear that was a major problem when filming the X Men movies.

I'll see myself out.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Anonymous Coward]

I didn't realize OSHA regulations were enforced by the UK.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Anonymous Coward]

How do you mange to go to a store with all those automatic doors that aren't locked out while you travel through them?

Don't be silly. There aren't any stores or automatic doors in his parents basement.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[dj245]

I assume Mr. Ford has not been around enough heavy equipment to that you consider it live unless you can see the lockout.

This was a movie set. There's basically 2 overriding rules about safety on a movie set: * Don't depend on the actors to be smart enough, or paying enough attention, to get anything right. * There's no excuse for injuring an actor. That's just about the worst thing you can be responsible for.

Everything potentially dangerous on a big-budget movie set is supposed to have a minder - both because the actors' full attention should be on their roles, and because it's a movie set, and dangerous-looking things are often props.

From the (one-sided) summary, this was a massive fuckup, on the order of having a real gun mixed in with prop guns, or carelessness with pyro.

Movie sets generally have a lot more accidents than "normal" industries. The deck is stacked with contributing factors such as-

The work location changes often
Safety-responsible crews often have a set building / movie background, rather than an industrial one
Some OSHA regulations applicable to Construction/General Industry may not apply. Others are specifically excluded.
Reliance on contractors and/or temp workers
Most persons on the set do not have much industrial safety experience
The primary purpose of a set is for looks, safety and accessibility are sometimes an afterthought
Every set is different, and may be modified frequently during the course of filming
Onsite changes to the set probably do not go through a rigorous safety process
Desire to continue filming in order to not miss out on desired weather, or to be on schedule for the next location
Relatively low pay of junior crew members, and ease of replacing them. This tends to promote "get it done" attitudes and reduces the amount of questions raised about safety.

I routinely work in an industrial environment. Working on a movie set seems more dangerous in comparison. The safety culture and recognition of all the hazards just isn't there.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[Anonymous Coward]

And it does happen: Brandon Lee, Vic Morrow. That last one didn't even require inattention on the part of the actors. How can you react to a damaged helicopter crashing into you during filming?

And as far as props go, back in the '80s there was that guy who was that time-jumpers kind of show I can't remember the name of, who killed himself when he picked up a pistol loaded with blanks, put it to his head, and pulled the trigger, you know, as a joke. Well, blanks are merely bullets without a slug, they still have all the explosive of a regular bullet and can still easily kill you at short range. This was a case of an actor actively doing something stupid, thus again proving the common wisdom about bigger idiots.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[iridium_ionizer]

I assume Mr. Ford has not been around enough heavy equipment to that you consider it live unless you can see the lockout.

Harrison Ford was self-taught professional carpenter. This was probably his best paying, consistent job as he was trying to make it in Hollywood as an actor. So you would think he would know about the potential dangers of machinery, but maybe he mostly used hand tools. Maybe he's gotten soft and careless.

As a side note, it seems that with its emphasis on practical effects, real sets, and locations, that The Force Awakens was a dangerous film to work on. Mark Hamill almost fell to his death off of the island Skellig Michael shown at the end of the film.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[lgw]

Most people lose situational awareness as they age. It's a common cause of serious injury.

Re:Lockouts have you heard of them?

[RockDoctor]

Some OSHA regulations

Not one OSHA regulation applies. this isn't America. We have standards which I- having worked with a number of American safety-responsible personnel - think are generally tighter. Those standards are designed by the Health And Safety Executuve and are enforced with the power of the criminal law. Directors of companies do get jailed for breaches on occasion, and HSE inspectors who achieve that are very happy to have achieved it.

heh

[Anonymous Coward]

The door shot first!

Re:heh

[Anonymous Coward]

This made me laugh.

could have

[stealth_finger]

He could die walking to the shop or taking a shit too. Life is a dangerous game.

Re:could have

[twotacocombo]

I don't know what you're eating, but I've never felt my life was in danger while taking a shit. The well-being of others may have been threatened, but never my own...

Re:could have

[ShanghaiBill]

I don't know what you're eating, but I've never felt my life was in danger while taking a shit.

T Rex Eats Lawyer on Toilet.

Re:could have

[tehlinux]

A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

Re:could have

[stealth_finger]

Just because you don't feel in danger or under threat doesn't mean you're safe. A plane could crash on your house, you could have brain aneurism, you could squeeze too hard, pop an artery and bleed out right into the bowl. Not that any of those things are likely to happen but people die all the time in all kinds of ways.

Re:could have

[BKX]

Bizzarely (and I know you were making a joke, but sometimes facts are funny too), a surprising large number of people die every year while taking shits. Apparently, pushing out a log puts quite a strain on your heart.

Re:could have

[Tablizer]

because you've never tried Marty's Burritos. Risky, but worth it.

Re:could have

[Anonymous Coward]

Fiber saves lives!

(now if only someone had told Elvis)

Re:could have

[Anonymous Coward]

That's what Elvis thought too.

Re:could have

[Anonymous Coward]

Han shat first!!

Re:could have

[UnknownSoldier]

That reminds me of an old joke ...

Q. Why do sharks not attack lawyers?
A. Professional courtesy. :-)
ba-dum-tsh
--
TIL: ba dum tsh is called a sting

Re:could have

[Anonymous Coward]

It's indirect, but you could make an argument for disease.

Sicknesses involving diarrhea are riskier in TWCs, "watch the dehydration and keep fluids up" becomes srs bsns, especially the elderly/child/pregnant bracket. Modern FWCs it's just a tv trope, a plot device, "Bob home sick from work".

Re:could have

[Megol]

I realize you are joking but people do "die while taking a shit" - and it have nothing to do with food intake. Here's a basic layman's description: http://www.menshealth.com/heal...

Re:could have

[Anonymous Coward]

You should try doing those things in a toilet. This would greatly reduce the threat to others...

Re:could have

[BKX]

I never thought about the diarrhea thing. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, I guess.

Re:could have

[Anonymous Coward]

If https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Femoral_artery gets cut, wouldn't it be a big problem? Am I wrong?

Rookie mistake

[Pascoea]

when he walked on to the set not believing it to be live

You would think someone that's been around as long as he has would be aware that all systems should be treated as live until verified otherwise. You don't just pick up a wire. You don't just walk into a confined space. You don't just push a button.

I don't imagine a movie set is any different than any other potentially dangerous work space. You have to know your environment, even if it is constantly changing, and your safety is ultimately your responsibility.

Re:Rookie mistake

[Pascoea]

From FTA:

the hydraulic spaceship door was operated by another person and that as the actor passed beneath it, he was hit hard in the pelvis and pinned to the floor.

So, two rookie mistakes. The actor for entering an unsafe situation, and the operator not making the area safe.

Re:Rookie mistake

[ShanghaiBill]

So, two rookie mistakes. The actor for entering an unsafe situation, and the operator not making the area safe.

At least two additional mistakes:
3. The rookie engineer who didn't include mechanical interlocks.
4. The safety supervisor for not enforcing proper procedures.

Re:Rookie mistake

[NormalVisual]

So, two rookie mistakes. The actor for entering an unsafe situation, and the operator not making the area safe.

Three mistakes. Whoever designed the door obviously doesn't have any experience with production automation, and didn't have an automated stop to prevent the door from closing if someone wasn't where they were supposed to be. Light curtains, pressure mats, whatever.

Re:Rookie mistake

[wonkey_monkey]

So, two rookie mistakes.

Two Wookiee mistakes.

Thank you, thank you.

Re:Rookie mistake

[lgw]

I don't imagine a movie set is any different than any other potentially dangerous work space.

You'd be wrong about that. Actors are special - anything dangerous on set is supposed to have a minder specifically to keep it from hurting an actor, no matter how careless the actor.

all systems should be treated as live until verified otherwise

Remember: movie set. Dangerous items are usually props. The technical guys, sure, it's their job to know, but it's also their job to keep the coked-up airhead starlet safe (and the guy who plays her husband).

Re:Rookie mistake

[AK Marc]

You never design something like that on set. If the actor misses his spot, and improvises, but the shot is lost because a door in the background didn't shut, you'll get fired and blacklisted unless the safety measure was ordered by the director (and they generally don't bother with that).

Re:Rookie mistake

[NormalVisual]

I imagine you'd get fired/blacklisted just as quickly if your set design kills or maims an A-list actor.

Re: Rookie mistake

[Anonymous Coward]

Grrhh raah wahh grrhhah

Re:Rookie mistake

[MrKaos]

Let's not forget the healing capacity of a 71 year old is a lot different from a 30 year old (for example). An injury like that needs a minimum of 6 months recovery and ongoing physio therapy.

The fire in his eyes was probably Ford not wanting to have anything to do with Star Wars anymore and he had had enough. The look was probably "If you don't write me out of this fucking movie I am going to sue you into oblivion".

Re:Rookie mistake

[AK Marc]

Nope. In this case, they aren't looking at the design of the door, but the guy who pushed "close" while Harrison Ford was under it, and the lack of process to seal off a set while people are building/testing dangerous props. The guy who made the door isn't in trouble, at least as far as the news around this indicates.

Re:Rookie mistake

[Megane]

Clearly, we must acquit.

Re:Rookie mistake

[gosand]

Reminder: Brandon Lee (Bruce Lee's son) was killed on a movie set by a strange mishap with a handgun. Accidents happen no matter how many precautions are taken. Negligence or misuse just ups the odds.

Re:Rookie mistake

[ultranova]

I don't imagine a movie set is any different than any other potentially dangerous work space.

Putting a hydraulic press with enough power to crush bone and no safety interlocks in the middle of a walkway in any other work space would get you sued, too.

Re:Rookie mistake

[RoloDMonkey]

Ford might not have been at fault: "he walked on to the set not believing it to be live." Film production actually has very specific procedures (signs, human "minders") for keeping people safe, and ensuring continuity, i.e. a hot set: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki...

Re:Rookie mistake

[Anonymous Coward]

will you be appearing at the Cantina Bar? comedy that stellar, is worth traveling for ;)

Could have been killt or worse....

[ai4px]

if it hadn't been for the emergency stop.... Hey, kids THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON!

Re:Could have been killt or worse....

[SpeedBump0619]

if it hadn't been for the emergency stop.... Hey, kids THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY STOP BUTTON!

There's (almost) always an e-stop. But my the time you can reach it someone is probably already as injured as they were going to get. I've been working in industrial automation for more than 20 years and I have prevented an impending injury with an e-stop precisely once. Even then it was because I had specifically told that person not to be where they were and I was moving to the e-stop at the moment the machine ran away (because someone shorted out a motor controller feedback circuit). Even then in the time it took me to react and respond the machine moved almost 10 feet (straight at his face). Missed him by less than two inches (because he flinched).

E-stops have two purposes: 1) locking out the system while you will be in a dangerous interference location, and 2) releasing the machine so you can extract the mangled remains. In this case it appears to have been the latter. Fortunately it was his leg not his torso or head.

Meh

[SeattleLawGuy]

On the one hand, a danger on many sets is like a slight danger at summer camp--yes, sometimes people throw things together that work and sometimes people can get hurt. If this were a small budget community theater set that was otherwise safe and an isolated incident it might be understandable.

On the other hand, the Star Wars budget can afford one of those sensors like you have in every modern elevator that stops when someone is still in the door, as well as the guy who knows how to install it. So there is no question that they should be both liable for the medical expenses and fined. (This is how you encourage other people to install the sensor in the future.)

Re:Meh

[Anonymous Coward]

The time budget is more important than the money budget.

After the lawyers are done...

[OfficeLackey]

So after the lawyers are done, no movie (scifi or otherwise) will be allowed to have an "automatic" door due to possible lawsuits. Star Wars, Star Trek, Battleship 3.... Nothing.

Re:After the lawyers are done...

[Anonymous Coward]

I certainly hope not. I think Star Trek would have been MUCH more entertaining if Mr. Spock had to sign a waiver of liability every time he walked thru the turbolift doors.

Re:After the lawyers are done...

[l0n3s0m3phr34k]

Perhaps they'll go back to the old-school original Doctor Who and Star Trek: TOS style and have hidden stage hands opening and closing the "automatic" doors.

Re:After the lawyers are done...

[Anonymous Coward]

No, they'll all just have to be made out of 2x4s, 1/4 in plywood, cardboard paper mache so they couldn't possibly seriously injure anyone. Hey, we've come full circle, Sci-Fi started out that way due to having virtually no budget and now they'll have to return to it to satisfy our safety crazy, rounded corners, litigious, padded, stupid proof society.

Seriously!?
Captcha: anarchy

Re:After the lawyers are done...

[Anonymous Coward]

fitting nick

Re:After the lawyers are done...

[hoofie]

This was in the UK. Big money legal paydays are VERY hard to achieve as such cases are tried only with judges, there are many avenues for appeal and dodgy fee setups and outrageous demands don't work or are not permitted.

What a coincidence!

[Bryan Ischo]

My enthusiasm for the Star Wars universe almost died when my hopes for a good Star Wars movie were crushed by The Force Awakens!

Re:What a coincidence!

[Anonymous Coward]

Congratulations on earning your hipster douchebag points for the day!

Re:What a coincidence!

[lgw]

My enthusiasm for the Star Wars universe almost died when my hopes for a good Star Wars movie were crushed by The Force Awakens!

The first one gets a pass - its job was to prove the franchise can make money, and bring in a new generation of fans. They at least had a hand-off from the old guard, which I certainly appreciated.

Disney is pretty sharp about such things. Rogue One is the first real shot at a "real Star Wars movie".

Re:What a coincidence!

[phantomfive]

The villains in Force Awakens are depressingly dumb, though.

Re:What a coincidence!

[Anonymous Coward]

Darth Vader would have been depressingly dumb if James Earl Jones hadn't done the voiceover.
Imagine Vader with a thin English accent.

Re:What a coincidence!

[phantomfive]

I don't know, worshiping the washed up old helmet of your grandfather is kind of dumb with any accent, but be honest: Grand Moff Tarkin rocked the 'thin English accent' villain in the first movie. Killing your parents (parents who have fond hopes for your happiness) is kind of braindead, too. Maybe stupidity runs in the family, but least Anakin got that right.

Re:What a coincidence!

[lgw]

The villains in Force Awakens are depressingly dumb, though.

To be sure. We have a new Disney Princess - way to challenge gender norms!

But I hold out hope that our thoroughly unimpressive Darth Meh will have an actual character arc. Growing from here to being as impressive as Vader would be a heck of a story, a story I'd love to see.

Re:What a coincidence!

[phantomfive]

That's true.

Re:What a coincidence!

[MrKaos]

Darth Vader would have been depressingly dumb if James Earl Jones hadn't done the voiceover. Imagine Vader with a thin English accent.

Your lack of faith disturbs me, old chap.

Re:What a coincidence!

[dave420]

The actor who played Vader (David Prowse) has a very strong south-west English accent, something that most definitely can not be described as "thin".

Re:What a coincidence!

[Anonymous Coward]

Look, I'm Lord Vader, and just pay a-bloody-tention, alright?

It was actually kind of bothering...

[Anonymous Coward]

How many corners they cut in regards to Ep VII props given how many of them they had DESIGNED AND BUILT, but then backed out because their reliability couldn't be ascertained, so lets still with the old and proven techniques.

Star Wars has *ALWAYS* pushed the limits of the Media of the Era. A lot of people forget that it had huge CG war scenes YEARS before LOTR.

The invasion of Naboo was one of those 'whoa!' moments of cinema, even if the rest of the movie ranged from bland to horribly campy and dismissive of the media that allowed it to become a success (hint: it was as much the EU and videogames as the original movies!)

when approached about safety he said:

[burtosis]

"Never tell me the odds"

Broken leg = almost dead?

[Anonymous Coward]

Accidents are going to happen, it sounds like there were reasonable safety precautions in place (an emergency button was used). The only thing that was apparently "lacking" here was a lock on the main hydraulics control to prevent some idiot from fiddling around with it, and while that is generally expected by OSHA when dealing with commercial/industrial environments it is generally pretty over the top. I wonder how your average person would respond if OSHA wanted to put safety interlocks on your toaster (a lock to make sure kids didn't mess with it) or required all stairs in your house be painted caution tape yellow.

Re: Broken leg = almost dead?

[Anonymous Coward]

I think the reasoning there is that if it broke his leg it could have just as easily broke his neck.

In a galaxy far, far away...

[DRJlaw]

"New Republic Prosecutor Andrew Marshall said the rail-less walkway over the nearly bottomless pit 'could have killed somebody.' The fact that it didn't was because the writers 'pulled a deus ex machina out of their nether regions.' The engineering firm responsible for the Starkiller's power control station, Foodles Production, pleaded guilty to two breaches under health and safety legislation, one count under section two of the Health and Safety at Work Act of 9624, which related to a breach of duty in relation to employees, a second under section three, a breach over people not employed by the company. The lawyer for Foodles Production, which is owned by Disney, said "AARGHHHH" as he was force-stangled by Disney's newly-revealed CEO, the aforementioned Kylo Ren."

Really?

[franzrogar]

I'm truly tired of such statements. Here's the response I always give:

"I might not finish this sentence".

And now, be free!

No chance

[bestweasel]

I've seen enough of Harrison Ford's films to know that although he was in danger of imminent death, he could have escaped easily without a scratch.

Re:No chance

[Anonymous Coward]

While retaining a fedora.

SPOILER ALERT: He didn't?

[Anonymous Coward]

Wasn't he killed by a lightsaber?

No user serviceable parts inside.

[steve90]

He clearly states in the first movie (or episode IV whatever) that he has made aftermarket alterations to the Millennium Falcon. This was always going to be potentially dangerous and will have rendered his warranty void. He only has himself to blame.

Re:No user serviceable parts inside.

[Megane]

It didn't matter, really, the company that built MF went out of business due to the economic crash due to the destruction of the second death star. Any government run by people who can force-choke you certainly doesn't have to pay outstanding bills for in-progress projects that were destroyed by rebel terrorists.

IF he did get crushed...

[ihaveamo]

One thing's for sure, he would have got a lot thinner!

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Making a movie ain't like dusting crops, boy!

Mt Ford's lawyer

[MrKaos]

Ms Ally McBeal said that the injury was caused by gross negligence and irresponsible use of a lightsaber.

Interesting...

[Anonymous Coward]

after a few search attempts not one shred of this company seems to exist outside this court case...its almost like it was created "just for this court case".....

Also, in my best al pacino voice...."you can get killed walken your doggy..."

Dangerous doors

[Anonymous Coward]

Same with stormtroopers

Attractive Nuisance

[Anonymous Coward]

It's the Millennium Falcon. Of course someone is going to want to walk around it, touch it, etc. If it's dangerous, post guards and make a fence. My backyard pool requires a fence, and it's safer than a hydraulic door and less attractive than a YT-1300.

Use the Chewbacca Defense!

[Joe_Dragon]

Use the Chewbacca Defense!

May the force be with the jury to rule the right way!

Kirk?

[Anonymous Coward]

Beam me up Scotty...There is no intelligent life around here.

Re:Kirk?

[Anonymous Coward]

Beam down yeomen Rand and a six pack.

30 minutes later.

Beam down another six pack.

What are the odds?

[theurge14]

Sir, the odds of this hydraulic door being live and crushing your leg are 60000 to 1.

That would have been hilarious

[Anonymous Coward]

Absolutely classic

That damn hat!

[bronney]

He had to grab it ;)

It's a good job he recovered

[DrXym]

Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to film his death scene. That or suddenly the plot for call for Kylo Ren to drop a hydraulic door on his father.

Were they filming?

[MTEK]

A bit anti-climatic for a main character's fate, but could be useful in an alternate ending re-release.

He DID die!

[moeinvt]

It wasn't a door, but I'm positive that he died. I saw it happen and there were many other eyewitnesses.

Criminal not civil case

[Anonymous Coward]

The Health and Safety Executive is a law enforcement agency in the UK who investigate and prosecute companies over dangerous or unsafe working environments and practices. This is a criminal prosecution not a civil damages case.

He did it wrong

[skovnymfe]

He let the door hit him on the way in.

HAPPY TO BE OF SERVICE!

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

Share and enjoy!

But I SAW him died!

[Anonymous Coward]

You mean he /isn't/ died?! He got laser sworded by his lovely son and then falled down - I sawed it and went tearful, only now is joy because of article say HEE LIIIIVVESZS!

Oh, this is frabjous!

uuuuuh airplane crash

[Anonymous Coward]

Wasn't it in the news that he was injured from a airplane crash.

Does this prove that there was not a airplane crash, or is Ford very unlucky twice in the same year.

I wonder why nobody remembers this.....

Accident Prone?

[Anonymous Coward]

Hey, I like Harrison Ford and wish no harm upon him. However one has to wonder... plane crash... broken leg... is Harrison getting accident prone? Bit clumsy there?

Third time definitely will not be a charm Harrison! Stay safe!

Re: He survived carbonite!

[Anonymous Coward]

No way he was ever in danger, he survived being frozen in carbonite for chrisakes!

He could have died if

[JohnStock]

.. something happened that actually didn't happen.

Insult to injury

[DarthVain]

Would be being killed by Foodles Production. Am I the only one that found it hard to read such a serious thing with such a ridiculous name?