In the real Battle of Aqaba, Lawrence was nearly killed when his camel threw him after he accidentally shot it in the head. In a remarkable coincidence, Peter O'Toole was nearly killed himself when a gun or rocket used to signal action in the first take went off prematurely, and O'Toole was thrown by his panicked camel in front of the charging horses. Fortunately for O'Toole, the camel, trained for such situations, stood over him and saved him from being trampled.