Sea World killer whale trainer killed at Shamu Stadium (video, photos)
A trainer who worked at the Shamu Stadium in Sea World was killed today at approximately 2:00 p.m., while preparing a crowd for a live performance. The trainer has been identified as forty-year-old Dawn Brancheau, and there are conflicting stories regarding the events that occurred. The Orange County Sherriff’s Office is conducting an industrial accident probe. At approximately 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2010, paramedics arrived and found the victim, Dawn Brancheau, unresponsive in the killer whale’s tank.
- Photos: Dawn Brancheau Funeral
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Protesters Shout 'Free Tilly'
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Sign Guestbook for Dawn Brancheau
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Video shows Tilly and Dawn Brancheau
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Dawn Brancheau: Autopsy Results
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Slideshow: SeaWorld trainer killed by Orca
Jim Solomon’s, spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, said that Dawn Brancheau slipped and fell into the tank, and drowned. However, several eyewitnesses stated they saw the whale jump out of the water, grab the trainer, knock her shoe off, violently thrash her in the water and drown her.
The killer whale’s name is Tillikum, also known as ‘Tilly’ and has a controversial past and has been accused of killing a trainer during a performance at the Sealand of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia in 1991. Sea World Orlando obtained Tilly in 1992. In 1999, the nude, dead body of a homeless man was discovered on Tilly’s back. It was concluded that the victim had drowned after sneaking into Tillikum’s tank after the park closed. Authorities said they believed Tilly bit the victim and tore off his clothes as if he were playing with a toy.
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Dawn Brancheau, is shown performing with a killer whale in 2005. She was killed on February 24, 2010 by killer whale Tilikum. Brancheau, 40, is described as one of Sea World's most experienced trainers.
Julie Fletcher-AP
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Comments
A very sad end for a good woman who obviously loved animals. The Orca in this case should be set free or kept away from humans now. He is not to blame, just 'lost' it, as some people do at times. On the whole, these shows do a lot to highlight conservation while providing entertainment to those of the public who would never see these wild creatures otherwise. Dogs, the most domesticated of animals, have been known to attack and kill their owners, too. That doesn't mean we should condemn all of them, does it?
No it doesn't because I have two dogs and two cats and my dogs don't try to kill my cats.
No it doesn't because I have two dogs and two cats and my dogs don't try to kill my cats.
We have tears when listen this shockable news. Kept that killer whale out of people and not in the show too..
The eye witness says the killer whale flung over the glass barrier and grabbed the employee from behind while she was talking to the crowd. Sheriff says the lady fell into the pool and the whale then attacked and caused her to drown. The Sea World exec says she basically drowned and the whale may not be to blame. Hmmm. Is it just me or is the truth being covered up like an onion, only this onion is not being peeled back but being inwardly? I'm just saying.
As far as i know there is only one legitimate place to watch it, just go here, movieidiot(DOT)com
My heart aches for Dawn? Brancheau and her family. I simply cannot stress how much I am hurted by the loss. :( Rest in peace Dawn Brancheau...you will be greatly missed.
It is a KILLER WHALE.
What more do you expect?
Alot more you weirdo " It's a KILLER WHALE . What more do you expect?" Retarded
I agree with Ivan. These are "Wild" animals. How do we know that the whale didn't just think it was playing? Or maybe it had just had enough of always having to perform. If this particular animal has already killed 2 people before today it should have been let loose a long time ago.
no no no this particular whale didn't perform it was to big to swim and perform with the trainers it was the biggest one in captivity it was only used to splash the audience then it when back in its captivity
In the wild Killer whales play with their prey before eating it. I feel for the trainers family. Non the less, a killer whale is a killer whale. It is not some sweet puppy as humans want to see it...
Dawn Brancheau did not know the story 'the Fox and the Scorpion'
May the you rest in peace Dawn...
Givin the past problems with this animal, Tilika allready killing two other people why have her close to human contact... I would'nt want to spend my entire life in a bathtub. It is a killer whale even trained they still are wild animals with killer instinct. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family and may she rest in peace..
learn how to spell it right. Tilikum
sorr for a wonderful womens lost that loved animals.
I think in these cases we fail to see that this is a WILD animal. He was taken from the wild and FORCED to perform, day in, day out, EVERY day, no breaks, no time off. Perhaps we should not think of condemning him, simply returning him to where he belongs. They plan to keep him in the show away from trainers. Hey guys, catch a hint. If there is a way to get him "home," perhaps you should do it. If he has killed three people, perhaps you should look further than the whale. And the drunken moron in the pool? That is ALL him. If he was on Tilly's back, perhaps the fool was trying to ride him.
My thoughts and condolences go out to Dawn's family- but she was performing with the whales- her passion. This was all just a tragic accident.
My prayers go out to Dawn and her family. That being said, Tilly did not actually kill 3 people. HE killed Dawn, and was involved in an attack with 3 other Orca's, and a drunk guy who died of hypothermia after breaking into his tank. While it is very sad what happened to Dawn, she of all people knew what these WILD animals are capable of. If Sea World is going to take these animals out of their natural habitat and make money off them, then they need to take responsibility for the animal. A lot of people are saying they should release him into the wild, and they are idiots. If they do that he will die, he has been in captivity for 30 years, and there is no way he would survive. Sea World needs to fulfill their commitment to Tilly, and continue to take care of him.
f u c k you... sea worlds commitment to the whale? by taking him away from his family in the wild? forcing him to be driven crazy by the sound of the water pumps in these tiny tanks for animals that weigh TONS and travel thousands of miles a MONTH! f u c k you indeed for even condoning the use of a wild animal in this way. f u c k you all... I hope Satan has his pet killer whale a s s f u c k you for eternity... in a bathtub.
watch the documentary The Cove... you will see.
F u c k You.
moby dick? hm hm hm anyone anyone ummmmmmm hm hm famouse storie hm hm just thrown it out their and as for ivan he said the whale lost it like some people hmmmmmmmm ok tree hugger lets think about this soo your saying if you "lose it" its socialy acceptable noted what your saying is bashing ones skull in with a bat is ok i like your style......... idiot its a damn whale we are humans were supposed too eat them not play wiht them condolences too the family
the lorg had this insident in writing so there was nothing that noone could have done it was gods will to take dawn to heaven if she did go to heaven. i respect her family and bless them as well, lets not blame the whale as the animals also adore god believe it because is true its in the bible..... blessings to you all. lets all just pray that noone else gets hurt.......
awwwwwwww i feel bad for the girl but i feel bad for shamu i meen he didnt mean to do it animals get out of controll and soooooo he was stuck in the tank for hours sooooo he probley wanted to be free but i feel really bad for the lady R.I.P Dawn Brancheau!!!! :( hope you guys understand call me at 7022275085 if needed any info im 11 years old
just wanted to say that is not really my number its my uncles old phone it doesnt work but really someone who loved animals so much had to die by the one she really loved just think how brave she was to go by that biggggg whale buuttt i love both of them i seen her befor at sea world Dawn Brancheau was a really nice woman she would tell you anything you needed to now and also her an my aunt became really best friends how cool but it was super sad how just that killer whale desided just to go crazy i love both of theemmm ????????? R.I.P GIRLLLLL MISSS UUU Dawn Brancheau
it is sad the trainer pastaway. there is good news and bad news the good news is that killer whale did not kill all the other trainers.the bad news is that whale killed that one girl
R.I.P DAWN BRANCHEAU MISS U DAWN EVERYBODY WILL MISS U SPECALLY UR MOM AND PEOPLE RELATED TO U
WHAT I DO NOT KNOW IF THE WHALE DID IT ON PUPOSE OR ACCIDENT
DAWN BRANCHEUA WILL BE MISSED SPECALLY HER MOM
R.I.P
I LUV ORCAS... WELL...I THINK WE SHOULD ...FORM A CLUB AND GO ON STRIKE. THEY (PEOPLE) NEED TO KNOW WE CARE.FOR ANYONE WHO READS THIS ...THE ORCAS AND I...NEED YOUR HELP.ESPESIALY THE ORCA WHO 'KILLED HIS TRAINER' THEY MIGHT PUT HIM 'TO SLEEP'WICH REALLY MEANS THEIR GOING TO KILL HIM.
PLEASE ...I NEED YOUR HELP ...ORCAS NEED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF CAPTITY AND PUT THEM WHERE THEY WANT TO BE...HOME...IN THEIR NATURAL HABITATS.ORCAS NEED TO FEEL SAFE,LOVED,AND ADMIRED.
you shouldent kill the animal because it was just grogey
Omg a person actully was in the park past closing .
Why would a peson stay past closing??????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why kill the whale it coulduv been an accident????
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