Jeremy Clarkson Faces Legal Action After Visitor's 'Horrific' Pub Car Park Accident
Television personality Jeremy Clarkson is being sued by a woman who sustained serious injuries after falling in the car park of his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer's Dog. Elizabeth Palmby, 68, from Scunthorpe, broke multiple ribs and required extensive hand surgery following the incident, which she describes as turning a "fun trip" into a traumatic experience.
'Razor Sharp' Metal Covers Cause Severe Injuries
Elizabeth Palmby's visit to Clarkson's popular Oxfordshire pub in November last year ended in disaster when she tripped on temporary metal covers placed over muddy ground in the field car park. The NHS worker suffered a deep, jagged gash to her hand that required surgical reconstruction and metal fragment removal, along with broken ribs that caused breathing difficulties.
"The carpark covers must have been razor sharp to do that sort of damage," Palmby stated, recalling how the injury occurred as she returned to her car after purchasing eggs from the farm shop. "I caught my foot on one of the upturned sheets and my feet went from under me. I instinctively threw my hand out to save myself."
Multiple Hospital Visits and Surgical Procedures
After initial treatment at Witney Hospital, Palmby was referred to Scunthorpe General Hospital where doctors discovered metal fragments embedded in her hand. She subsequently underwent hours of reconstructive surgery with a plastic surgeon, who removed the debris and closed the wound with ten stitches.
"The surgeon brought out some metal that he dug out of my hand and asked if I wanted to keep it as a souvenir," Palmby revealed. "But I didn't need them as the scar on my hand and my painful ribs are a permanent reminder of my pub trip."
Safety Concerns and Lack of Response
Palmby and her husband, a former ambulance worker, returned to the pub after her recovery to check if safety improvements had been made, but found the car park unchanged. "Nothing had changed," she said. "I at least expected to see a sign saying 'caution, uneven surface'. But there wasn't. There appeared to be little or no maintenance."
Despite writing to Clarkson and his pub management team about the dangerous conditions, Palmby received no response. This prompted her to contact accident specialists Express Solicitors to initiate legal proceedings for compensation.
Legal Action and Celebrity Responsibility
Jack Klein, accident specialist at Express Solicitors, emphasized that "celebrities are not above the law" and must ensure their premises are safe for visitors. "Elizabeth suffered a horrific injury on what should have been a fun day out," Klein stated. "They need to make sure their premises are safe and fit for purpose to protect people visiting their premises inside and out."
Planning Permission and Ongoing Hazards
While West Oxfordshire District Council has approved planning permission for a permanent hard surface in the car park, work cannot begin until a detailed surface water drainage scheme is submitted and approved in the coming months. Until then, the temporary metal coverings remain in use, which Palmby warns continues to pose a significant hazard.
"It needs fixing now not later as more people could be seriously injured in the meantime," she urged, expressing particular concern for elderly visitors and children who might be vulnerable to similar accidents.
Clarkson's Pub Renovation and Recent Incidents
Clarkson purchased The Windmill pub for approximately £1 million over two years ago, spending several months renovating the venue before opening it to the public in April 2024. The establishment has since become a popular destination, featuring outdoor seating and a shop selling merchandise from Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm.
This incident follows another recent accident involving a Clarkson's Farm cast member, Harriet Cowan, who required surgery after chopping the end of her finger off with a log splitter. The 24-year-old farmer shared details of her injury on social media but showed determination to continue with lambing season.
Representatives for Jeremy Clarkson have been contacted for comment regarding the lawsuit but have not yet responded publicly to the allegations.
