A man is in serious condition after being injured during a medieval combat re-enactment at Bodiam Castle, a historic site in southern England.
The incident occurred just before 3pm on Sunday, June 29, during a living history demonstration. According to police, the 37-year-old participant from Horsham was wearing body armour when a sword used by his fellow re-enactor entered his helmet visor during staged combat. He suffered a serious head injury and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Sussex Police are treating the incident as an accident. Detective Inspector Barry Chandler said: “A man was unfortunately injured during the combat re-enactment. We are treating the incident as an accident and we are offering support to his family. His opponent, a 36-year-old man also from Horsham, and the organisers are helping us with our enquiries.”
He added: “We know the re-enactment had drawn a large crowd and understand that anyone who witnessed the scene could have found this distressing. We are appealing to anyone who has photographs or videos of the interaction that led to the injury to contact us so we can gain a clear understanding of what happened.”
The event was held at Bodiam Castle, a 14th-century moated fortress located in the English countryside between London and the south coast. Managed by the National Trust, Bodiam Castle regularly hosts medieval-themed events, including sword fighting demonstrationsthat aim to bring the Middle Ages to life for visitors.
Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact police on 101, quoting serial 806 of 29/6.
A man is in serious condition after being injured during a medieval combat re-enactment at Bodiam Castle, a historic site in southern England.
The incident occurred just before 3pm on Sunday, June 29, during a living history demonstration. According to police, the 37-year-old participant from Horsham was wearing body armour when a sword used by his fellow re-enactor entered his helmet visor during staged combat. He suffered a serious head injury and was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.
Sussex Police are treating the incident as an accident. Detective Inspector Barry Chandler said: “A man was unfortunately injured during the combat re-enactment. We are treating the incident as an accident and we are offering support to his family. His opponent, a 36-year-old man also from Horsham, and the organisers are helping us with our enquiries.”
He added: “We know the re-enactment had drawn a large crowd and understand that anyone who witnessed the scene could have found this distressing. We are appealing to anyone who has photographs or videos of the interaction that led to the injury to contact us so we can gain a clear understanding of what happened.”
The event was held at Bodiam Castle, a 14th-century moated fortress located in the English countryside between London and the south coast. Managed by the National Trust, Bodiam Castle regularly hosts medieval-themed events, including sword fighting demonstrations that aim to bring the Middle Ages to life for visitors.
Anyone with information or footage is asked to contact police on 101, quoting serial 806 of 29/6.
Top Image: Photo by Ray in Manila / Flickr
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