Safety inquiry into rigger’s fatal fall at Star Wars studio

A STUDIO where a Star Wars film was shot is facing an investigation after a worker fell 40ft to his death.

Russell Bowry, a 52-year-old rigger, died in March at Cardington Studios, Beds, which houses sets in a 180ft-tall former Zeppelin shed.

An air ambulance took Mr Bowry to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he was pronounced dead.

Police investigated the death but have now passed the case to the Health and Safety Executive and the studio could face hefty fines if failings are uncovered.

A spokesman for the studio said: “Russell Bowry was well-known and respected in the rigging industry and all at Cardington Studios remain deeply affected and saddened by his death.

“The HSE is conducting inquiries as is usual in these circumstances.”

In the wake of the death, Mr Bowry’s friends have donated more than £14,000 to his grieving family. He left a wife and two children. The HSE declined to comment on the case.

The giant buildings at Cardington were used for sets in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Dark Knight.