Escapologist launches legal action against talent show after stunt left him paralysed

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Escapologist Jonathan Goodwin has launched legal action against the producers of America's Got Talent: Extreme after he was left paralysed when a stunt went wrong during rehearsals.

The former stuntman and Britain's Got Talent contestant sustained life-changing injuries in October 2021 when he was crushed between two burning cars while hung upside down.His lawyer has said the production was "rushed" and "chaotic" and branded the safety practices, protocols and procedures as "inadequate".Goodwin was supposed to escape from a straitjacket while hung upside down between two cars suspended in the air at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.Instead he was crushed between them as they caught on fire and he then fell around 30ft to the ground.He suffered a dislocated spinal cord, which has left him a paraplegic, internal organ injuries, including losing his left kidney, fractures to his legs, ribs, and shoulders, as well as third-degree burns.Goodwin has begun legal proceedings over the "actions and inactions of the various production entities" connected with the incident.The legal papers show the lawsuit has been filed against companies including US broadcaster NBCUniversal, Fremantle Media North America and production arm Syco Entertainment.His lawyer Stuart Fraenkel said: "This is yet another example of the entertainment industry putting profits and ratings before safety."It is the Rust and Resident Evil sets once again," he added, referring to two US film productions where crew members were killed or injured."The producers and staff working on this show could have taken a number of simple steps to ensure Jonathan's safety.Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.Y