Man dies after Time Team accident

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A man has died after a splinter of wood entered his eye during a mock joust for Channel 4 TV series Time Team.

A man has died after a splinter of wood entered his eye during a mock joust for Channel 4 TV series Time Team.
The fight re-enactor was taking part in an episode being filmed at Rockingham Castle, Northamptonshire, last month.

On impact with his shield, a splinter from a balsa wood lance entered the eye-slit of the man's helmet and went into his eye socket, Channel 4 said.

The unnamed man, in his late 40s, died a week later in hospital. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating.

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said the man was part of a professional group which regularly re-enacted fights.

'Tragic accident'

"We have been shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic accident," she said.

"The professional company of historical enactors has an excellent safety record and took all the appropriate and necessary precautions and it does sadly appear this was a tragic freak accident."

The popular history series follows archaeological digs and is presented by ex-Blackadder star Tony Robinson.

The jousting was filmed on 13 September as part of an episode focusing on Edward III's Round Table at Windsor Castle.

The Channel 4 spokeswoman said the re-enactment would no longer feature in the episode, which will be broadcast next year with a dedication to the man at the end of the programme.

However, re-enactments were likely to remain part of the series, she added.

Sourced BBCi: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7056583.stm