Production Assistant on Batwoman Paralyzed in Accident, Community Raises Funds

With production shutting down along with the rest of the world due to the coronavirus outbreak, folks are out of work and in need. Yet, for one production assistant on Batwoman, she faces this not because of the pandemic but because she ended up paralyzed after an accident. This marks the second major injury on that set, as star Ruby Rose had to undergo spinal surgery for an accident filming a stunt scene. However, the accident that paralyzed Batwoman production assistant Amanda Smith is far worse.

Smith was reportedly working on a location shoot on the new superhero series, sitting under a very busy roadway. While she was there, the “bucket” on a life somehow lowered onto her head. Smith couldn’t hear it because of the traffic, and the lift operator apparently didn’t see her there. She’s currently in the hospital recovering from spinal surgery, though the doctors working on her case said only therapy will tell if it worked. Currently, Smith has no feeling from the waist down. Yet, her doctors and family are hopeful that this will improve with time and therapy.

Fans and Batwoman Colleagues Rally Support for Paralyzed Production Assistant on GoFundMe

Image via GoFundMe

Tyler Mazzucco and three others started a fundraiser on crowdfunding site GoFundMe to support Amanda’s recovery. Even if shows weren’t shutting down due to coronavirus fears, she would not be able to work for the foreseeable future. Mazzucco calls Smith “a great contributing member of the community, a great co-worker,” and someone who “wouldn’t hesitate to help” anyone in need.

DC Publisher Jim Lee, director David Nutter, producers Caroline Dires, Todd Ulman, and Greg Berlanti also donated to the cause. More than 400 others also donated, ranging from fans of the show to fellow film and production community members. Amanda Smith has a long road of recovery ahead of her, but she has hundreds of people cheering her on.

The GoFundMe is still open if anyone wishes to donate. (Full disclosure: I did.)

Warner Bros. will cooperate with the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Colombia on an investigation.

As they said in a statement to Deadline:

“A valued member of the Batwoman production team was recently injured during the preparation of a filming location in Vancouver…. Our thoughts are with her for a speedy recovery. We are working closely with WorkSafeBC to provide any and all requested information. We continue to work to protect the health and safety of all our crews, casts and employees.”

The report also says that the production team of Batwoman reached out to Smith and her family to offer assistance.

You can donate to the fundraiser at GoFundMe by clicking this link.

Featured image via GoFundMe

Production Assistant on Batwoman Paralyzed in Accident, Community Raises Funds
Joshua M. Patton