Actor and comedian Sir Stephen Fry is suing the organisers of a tech conference after he was injured when he fell off the stage.
In legal documents, the iconic media identity stated he broke his leg, hip, pelvis and a “bunch of ribs” at the CogX convention in 2023. He was delivering the keynote speech at the time.
The BBC reports that Fry, 68, has now filed a personal injury claim against CogX Festival Ltd and creative agency Blonstein Events Ltd, seeking $AUD200 000 in damages.
“I did my bow after delivering this lecture, turned to go off stage and didn’t realise that I was walking off the part of the stage where there was nothing – just a 6ft drop on to concrete,” he told Claudia Winkleman’s BBC Radio show in December 2023.
“So I broke my right leg in a couple of places and my hip and pelvis in four places and a bunch of ribs.”
Sir Stephen Fry. Image: MW
Stephen Fry sues after falling off stage
Court documents state: “The Claimant brings a claim for damages for personal injuries sustained on 14 September 2023 at the O2 Arena, London, whilst attending the CogX Festival where he had been engaged to deliver a talk on Artificial Intelligence.
“After concluding his presentation and whilst exiting the stage backstage area, the Claimant fell approximately two metres from the stage to the concrete floor below.
“The incident was caused by the negligence and/or breach of statutory duty of the Defendants, its servants or agents, in failing to ensure that the stage and backstage area were safe, adequately lit and properly protected to prevent a fall from height.”
The BBC reports that in response, a spokesperson for CogX Festival Ltd said: “We are unable to comment while the legal process is ongoing, but we were all deeply concerned when Stephen had the accident after giving his incredible speech on the Impact of AI, and we continue to send him our best wishes for a full recovery.”
Fry’s lawyer, Keith Barrett, said: “It’s very unfortunate that court proceedings were necessary, but the Defendants do not accept Sir Stephen’s account of events, and we have had to ask the court to determine who is responsible for his injury and losses.”
Top image: Stephen Fry. Image: X