Five people were injured when scaffolding and screens collapsed during preparations for an event at the Summit Skywalker Ranch, NBC News reported. The incident occurred at a facility owned by George Lucas, who created the fantastic saga “Star Wars”, in Marin County (California).
The incident occurred on the morning of Monday, September 7. The stage was being prepared for the event when, for unknown reasons, scaffolding and screens collapsed. A worker was pinned under one of them, and three other employees were trapped under the stage.
Several agencies responded to the scene, including Marin County Fire, San Rafael Fire and Novato Fire. They used pneumatic fire-rescue lift bags to free the victim from under the screen. He was treated on the spot.
Three other victims were taken to local hospitals. As a representative of the emergency services told the TV channel, one of them received a head injury and was hospitalized in a condition of “third degree of severity,” which, according to the rescuer, is “very serious.” The cause of the collapse is being determined by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The complex was originally designed to meet the creative, technical and administrative needs of Lucas' production company, according to the ranch's website. The director began buying land in this area in the late 1970s, when he became famous throughout the world thanks to the Star Wars franchise he created. The object was named in honor of Luke Skywalker, the main character of the first three films.
It is also home to Lucasfilm's post-production center, Skywalker Sound, which handles sound design, mixing and audio recording. The ranch's technical building houses a large recording studio, film editing stages, sound design studios, editing rooms and a 300-seat movie theater.
Later, tourist infrastructure, cottages, guest apartments, as well as a swimming pool, fitness center, sports grounds and other amenities appeared on the territory. There is also a hall for speakers, presentations and lectures. At the same time, the ranch is active – it breeds cattle, grows food, produces honey and Skywalker Vineyards wines, also named after the hero of the fantasy franchise.
