Jouster killed during Time Team filming

A professional jouster died during filming for TV's 'Time Team' when a splinter from a lance pierced his brain.

Paul Allen, 54, was killed when a splinter went through the eye hole of his helmet, penetrating his eye and brain, while he filmed a stunt for the Channel 4 show in September 2007 and a coroner ruled yesterday the death was the result of failure to wear a correct helmet and ensuring his shield was appropriately assembled.

Adam Plant, Mr. Allen's opponent, said he was happy with the preparations for the scene for the show -presented by former 'Blackadder' star Tony Robinson - explaining: "We both set off to meet near the filming crew and I was to hit his shield in the middle."

However, US jousting expert Mike Loades said the victim was holding his shield at the wrong angle, which led to his death.

He explained: "The key to jousting is the correct body equipment. If the armour is right, then any other mistakes will be relatively harmless."

Mr. Allen's widow Sharon Allen, 51 - who also takes part in re-enactments - said if her husband "could have written his script, this would have been his chosen end".

Mr. Allen - a former teacher, from Hayden, Cambridgeshire - died on September 20, 2007 at University Hospital Coventry and Warwick, a week after the incident.