In a shocking incident at the CogX Festival in September, distinguished actor Stephen Fry, 66, faced a perilous fall as he exited the stage, leading to multiple fractures and a harrowing ordeal. The incident occurred following Fry’s participation as a speaker at the O2 arena, where he delivered a lecture before the unfortunate accident.
Detailing the mishap in a recent interview with Claudia Winkleman on BBC Radio Two, Fry recounted, “I was doing an event at the O2 arena. I did my hour after delivering this lecture, turned to go off stage and didn’t notice I was walking off a part stage where there was nothing but a six-foot drop onto concrete.”
The aftermath of the fall included severe injuries, with Fry breaking his right leg in multiple places, suffering four pelvic fractures, and sustaining injuries to several ribs. Despite the gravity of the situation, Fry expressed gratitude for his recovery, stating, “I’m now fine. I’m now without a stick.”
Fry underwent treatment at Queen Elizabeth Woolwich hospital, where he commended the medical staff for their exceptional care. Reflecting on the severity of his injuries, Fry revealed that he was offered the painkiller Oxycontin but declined due to its association with the opioid crisis.
Describing the hospital’s perspective, Fry shared, “He said (there are) two scenarios, one you don’t take this pain killer which is the best pain killer yet to be devised for the kind of pain you are in… Scenario two, you take the pill and probably tomorrow afternoon I’ll send round a couple of burly physios who will get you on your feet, put you in crutches and you’ll shuffle in some pain for about five minutes and then be anxious to get back to bed.”
Fry expressed his gratitude for narrowly avoiding more severe consequences, stating, “The person treating me told me he was treating a patient who had fallen on the same day as me, half the distance, and would never walk again. So I really praise my lucky stars. If it had been the spine or the skull who knows.”
As Fry continues his recovery, the incident serves as a reminder of the unforeseen challenges individuals may face, even in the midst of public appearances and professional engagements.
