Iconic Star Wars Star Almost Killed During Filming

Publish date: Monday, 14 Sep 2015, 1:07PM

The small island of Skellig Michael where the incident took place. Photo- Getty Images

Actor Mark Hamill was saved from falling down treacherous mountainside by a quick-thinking guide during filming for the new Star Wars trilogy.

The 63-year-old is reprising his role as Luke Skywalker in the new films, but would have been a "goner" had he not been caught by a guide when he slipped on the rocks on Irish island Skellig Michael last year.

The 180m-high Skellig Michael boasts incredible views of an ancient monastery built at its summit and the Atlantic Ocean, however there is a dangerous climb up 600 old and slippery steps to reach it.

In recent years several people have fallen to their deaths, such is the nature of the steep and unforgiving terrain.

Hamill is not the only Star Wars actor to suffer misfortune on the set of the massively anticipated films - the first of which is due to be released in December.

Mark Hamill poses with Stormtroopers at Comic-Con International 2015. Photo- Getty Images

In June last year Harrison Ford was airlifted to hospital after the Millennium Falcon spaceship crushed his ankle and broke his leg in an accident on the set, with people now speculating that the new Star Wars movie is cursed.

Source- NZ Herald