Hollywood cinematographer George Richmond injured in paragliding crash in Himachal Pradesh, undergoes surgery

Chandigarh, Jun 12 (PTI) Cinematographer George Richmond, best known for his work on Hollywood blockbusters such as "Free Guy" and "Deadpool & Wolverine", underwent a successful surgery and is recovering at PGIMER here, days after he was injured in a paragliding accident in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district. Richmond, 54, was among a group of five on a long-distance cross-country flying expedition from Kangra district's Bir Billing to the Deo Tibba region when he reportedly crashed in the rugged mountainous terrain near Deo Tibba. Richmond sustained serious injuries during the accident on June 8 and was rescued in a operation involving local authorities in Himachal and the Indian Air Force (IAF). He was later shifted to the PGIMER. "The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has successfully undertaken the multidisciplinary management of renowned British cinematographer George Richmond, best known for his work on Deadpool & Wolverine, following a devastating cervical spine injury sustained during a paragliding accident in Himachal Pradesh," a PGIMER statement issued here late Friday evening, said. It said the cinematographer suffered a catastrophic spinal injury comprising a fracture of the C1 vertebra along with a fracture-dislocation at the C5-C6 level, resulting in quadriplegia. Such injuries represent one of the most severe forms of spinal trauma, carrying a significant risk of life-threatening respiratory compromise due to the proximity of spinal segments controlling diaphragmatic function, it said. The surgery was led by Dr Vishal Kumar, Additional Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and involved removal of the damaged intervertebral disc and fractured elements causing neural compression. Reconstruction was performed using an interbody cage packed with bone graft substitute material, followed by stabilization with a cervical plate and screws. After the accident, fellow paragliders alerted the local administration, and a coordinated search and rescue operation was launched. The rescuers successfully evacuated Richmond from the accident site and brought him to a nearby safer location. He was later airlifted by an IAF chopper to Kullu where he was provided with initial medical care. As a cinematographer, Richmond frequently worked with British filmmakers Matthew Vaughn and Dexter Fletcher, contributing to projects such as the "Kingsman" franchise and the Elton John biopic "Rocketman". Richmond is currently stable, conscious and communicating effectively, the PGIMER statement said. He continues to remain under close observation by a dedicated multidisciplinary team comprising doctors, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and allied healthcare professionals. Early mobilization in a wheelchair has been planned as part of his comprehensive rehabilitation programme. Richmond was brought to the Advanced Trauma Centre, PGIMER, in the early hours of June 9 and was admitted under the care of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Immediate resuscitation was initiated in accordance with Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols. Following comprehensive clinical and radiological assessment, the patient was stabilized and transferred to the High Dependency Unit for intensive monitoring and further management. PGIMER director Vivek Lal said, "Such complex spinal injuries demand not only advanced surgical expertise but also meticulous planning, cutting-edge infrastructure and coordinated teamwork across departments. This case exemplifies PGIMER's preparedness to manage the most challenging medical emergencies while adhering to the highest international standards of patient care. We remain committed to supporting Mr. Richmond through every stage of his recovery and rehabilitation." Providing details of the surgical management, Prof Vijay Goni, Head, Department of Orthopaedics, PGIMER , stated, "The patient presented with a highly complex cervical spine fracture-dislocation associated with significant neurological impairment. Following detailed evaluation and stabilization, a carefully planned surgical strategy was executed. "A major milestone was achieved through fluoroscopy-guided closed reduction of the cervical fracture-dislocation, a technically demanding procedure that successfully restored spinal alignment and eliminated the need for a combined anterior and posterior surgery, thereby reducing surgical morbidity." PTI SUN VSD ZMN