Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Trainer dies after attack by killer whale

Lewis Smith
Thursday 25 February 2010 01:00 GMT
Comments
(AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A female trainer was attacked and killed by a killer whale in front of dozens of horrified tourists yesterday. Eyewitness reports suggested the orca, which has been involved in two previous deaths, rose up to grab Dawn Brancheau by the waist and shook her violently before dragging her under water.

Victoria Biniak, a visitor to the SeaWorld centre in Orlando, Florida, said the 5.5 tonne animal, called Tilikum, pulled the woman into the water, contradicting official claims that she fell in."[The whale] shot up in the air, grabbed the trainer by the waist and started thrashing around, and one of her shoes flew off," she said. "He was thrashing her around pretty good. It was violent."

Eldon Skaggs said Brancheau was on a platform and was massaging the whale when it "pulled her under and started swimming around with her". Joao Sobrinho, another witness, was at an underwater viewing area and saw the whale gripping the trainer by her upper arm and tossing her about. "It was terrible," he said.

An investigation has been launched into what happened, with officials saying it appeared the trainer fell rather than was dragged in. Ms Brancheau, 40, had worked at the centre since 1994 and was an experienced member of staff.

In 1991 Tilikum was one of three orcas blamed for the death of a trainer who fell into their tank at Sealand of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia. In 1999 the scratched and bruised body of a man who had sneaked into Orlando SeaWorld was found draped over its back. The man had died of hypothermia.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in