On March 31, 1993, during the filming of The Crow, actor Brandon Lee tragically lost his life in a fatal on-set accident. In a scene where his character, Eric Draven, confronts intruders in his apartment, a prop gun mishap led to Lee being fatally wounded.
The incident occurred when a .44 Magnum revolver, intended to fire blanks, discharged a bullet fragment that had become lodged in the barrel during a previous scene. This fragment struck Lee in the abdomen, causing severe internal injuries. Despite immediate medical attention and six hours of surgery at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina, Lee succumbed to his injuries at the age of 28 .
Investigations revealed that the tragedy resulted from negligence in handling prop firearms. Dummy cartridges had been improperly prepared, leaving a bullet lodged in the gun’s barrel. When a blank was later fired, it propelled the lodged bullet with lethal force. The district attorney concluded that Lee’s death was a result of negligence, not foul play .
The incident had a profound impact on the film industry, prompting a reevaluation of safety protocols on sets. In recent years, productions have increasingly opted for non-functional replica weapons and enhanced visual effects to simulate gunfire, aiming to prevent similar accidents .
Brandon Lee’s untimely death remains a poignant reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures in filmmaking. His legacy endures through his work and the ongoing efforts to ensure safer working conditions in the industry.
For a detailed exploration of this tragic event, you can watch the video titled “The HORRIFYING Last Minutes of Brandon Lee on the Movie Set of The Crow” here:
