Multiple Safety Violations Found in 'Deadpool 2' Stunt Driver Death

Joi Harris was killed in Vancouver while filming the Marvel movie

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Oct 3, 2019

Investigators have determined multiple workplace safety violations led to the death of a stunt driver on the set of Deadpool 2 in downtown Vancouver two years ago.

Yesterday (October 2), WorkSafeBC released results of its investigation into the death of 40-year-old Joi "SJ" Harris, who was thrown from a motorcycle after crashing through a plate glass window while performing a stunt on the set of the Ryan Reynolds film.

The report outlines that TCF Vancouver Productions Ltd., a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, failed to conduct a risk assessment for speed and safety controls of the vehicle, as well as failed to provide Harris with new worker orientation, adequate supervision and safe headgear.

WorkSafeBC determined that TCF violated three sections of the Workers Compensation Act and two section of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The organization is now considering an administrative penalty against the production company.

Eyewitnesses said Harris completed the stunt perfectly four time before crashing through the window on the fifth try. The WorkSafeBC report noted she was an experienced motorcycle racer but had no prior stunt double experience.

In a statement, a 20th Century Fox spokesperson said, "Safety is our top priority, and while we respectfully disagree with some of the report's findings, Fox thoroughly reviewed its stunt safety protocols immediately following the tragic accident and has revised and implemented enhanced safety procedures and enforcement."

The studio did not elaborate on the parts of the report it disagreed with. TCF has issued no comment on the matter as of press time.

WorkSafeBC's report notes that TCF operates out of Burnaby's Mammoth Studios, but when contacted, a woman answering the studio phone said no one affiliated with TCF or the production of Deadpool 2 remained on site.

Harris was the first-ever African American professional motorcycle road racer. In a 2015 interview with Black Girls Ride magazine, she said, "I am everything people never saw in this sport.... Sisters on the track are few and far in between. I want to show them that there's more for them to be exposed to. I want to get kids interested through experience."

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