Autopsy results released in death of Sea World killer whale trainer

Autopsy results released in death of Sea World killer whale trainer

The Orange County Medical Examiner has released the autopsy results in the case of Dawn Brancheau, the 40-year-old Sea World trainer who was killed yesterday. There have been conflicting reports as to the events that transpired prior to the incident, where the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said that Dawn tripped and fell into the tank. Last night, Chuck Thompkins stated that Dawn Brancheau had been rubbing the killer whale when he violently grabbed her around the waist and submerged her in the water. (click here for that story)

The autopsy states that Dawn Brancheau most likely died from multiple traumatic injuries sustained when Tilikum pulled her into the water. Reports also state that co-workers were unable to immediately free Dawn from Tilikum’s jaws as the killer whale was behaving aggressively. Sea World trainers coaxed Tilikum into a separate pool and used a platform to raise the 12, 300 pound whale as they pried Dawn out of its jaws.

Though Tilikum is accused of three human fatalities, Park officials state that Tilikum will not be isolated and trainers will continue to work with the killer whale, though changes will be implemented.
Representatives for Sea World Orlando have not specified what those changes will be.

Here is the full statement released by the Orange County Medical Examiner.

Sheriff’s Homicide Investigators advise that the Orange County Medical Examiner has determined that 40 year old Dawn Brancheau most likely died from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning after one of the park’s killer whales pulled her into a pool behind Shamu Stadium.

The trainer, who had 16 years of experience working with Orcas, was apparently interacting with the attraction’s largest male whale in knee deep water when the animal grabbed her by the hair, said to be in a long pony tail, and pulled her underwater.  Rescuers were not able to immediately jump in and render assistance to the Brancheau due to the whale’s aggressive nature.  She was recovered from the whale by Sea World staff members after the animal was coaxed into a smaller pool and lifted out of the water by a large scale/platform that lay on the bottom of the smaller tank.

While this incident remains the subject of an ongoing death investigation there are no signs of foul play.  All evidence and witness statements indicate that the death was a tragic accident.

First responders to the accident scene at the stadium believed that the victim had somehow slipped or fell into the orca’s pool but, after witness statements were taken and reviewed by homicide investigators, it became apparent that the whale had, in fact, pulled Brancheau into the pool and was the cause of her fatal injuries.

Since the 9-1-1 recordings relating to this incident have not been reviewed by investigators they are not available for release.  We have no additional information to provide at this time however updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

In this undated photo provided by Jonathan Gross, Dawn Brancheau, a whale trainer at SeaWorld Adventure Park, poses for a family Christmas photo with her dog. Brancheau was killed in an accident with a killer whale at the SeaWorld Shamu Stadium, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Jonathan Gross) NO SALES.