Stephen Fry O2 Arena stage fall lawsuit, Digi Mart USA News (London): Sir Stephen Fry was “not looking where he was going” when he tumbled off the stage at the O2 Arena, according to companies defending themselves against his legal action at the High Court.
The actor and presenter, 69, sustained fractures to his leg, hip, pelvis and ribs after plunging from a stage following a talk at the venue during the CogX festival in September 2023. Sir Stephen is taking legal action against organiser CogX Festival Limited, production agency Blonstein Events and staff provider Sourced Global Ltd, pursuing damages of up to £100,000.
In High Court documents, his legal team alleged he fell two metres onto a concrete floor as a result of the companies’ “negligence” in failing to ensure the stage and backstage area were safe, sufficiently lit and adequately protected.
In a defence to the claim, John Brown, representing CogX Festival Limited, stated the company bore no responsibility for the design and construction of the stage. He argued Sir Stephen must demonstrate to the court that the stage edge was not visible to him.
He said: “The first defendant contends that it would have been entirely obvious to the claimant whilst on the stage that there would have been some drop to the venue floor beyond the edge of the stage.”
He argued Sir Stephen failed to look where he was going and was not exercising “due care and attention”.
In a defence for Blonstein Events, Daniel Tobin stated Sir Stephen is “highly experienced in the simple process of getting on and off a stage.” He stated that Sir Stephen had passed the exit point on the stage and attempted to “force his way between a small gap” at the rear of the stage.
Tom Bourne-Arton, representing Sourced Global Ltd in the defence, argued that Sir Stephen had failed to adhere to the briefing and exit instructions provided by the stage manager. He said: “The briefing was short, succinct and easily understandable.”
