A man has been stabbed in the head with a sword during a battle re-enactment at a 14th-century castle.
The 37-year-old was wearing body armour, but was stabbed through his visor.
He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton in a serious condition following the incident, which took place at Bodiam Castle, near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, on Sunday.
“Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was injured during a living history demonstration at Bodiam Castle on Sunday afternoon (June 29),” a Sussex Police spokesman said.
“A 37-year-old man, from Horsham, was wearing body armour when his opponent re-enactor’s sword entered his visor during a combat re-enactment just before 3pm.
“He suffered a head injury and he is currently in a serious condition at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.”
Detective Inspector Barry Chandler said: “A man was unfortunately injured during the combat re-enactment.
“We are treating the incident as an accident and we are offering support to his family. His opponent, a 36-year-old man also from Horsham, and the organisers are helping us with our inquiries.
“We know the re-enactment had drawn a large crowd and understand that anyone who witnessed the scene could have found this distressing.
“We are appealing to anyone who has photographs or videos of the interaction that led to the injury to contact us so we can gain a clear understanding of what happened.”
Bodiam Castle, a National Trust property, is a 14th-century moated castle with a ruined interior. It has spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis.
It was built around 1385 by Sir Edward Dallingridge and his wife Elizabeth, according to the National Trust website.
“Our thoughts and concerns are with the injured man, his family and friends,” a National Trust spokeswoman said.
“The safety and wellbeing of everyone on site is extremely important to us, and we are co-operating fully with the relevant authorities. As this is a police matter, we are unable to comment further.”
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