The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on February 24, 2010. The deceased trainer was Dawn Brancheau, 40, whom SeaWorld’s director described as highly experienced.
Officials characterized the incident as an accident, stating the trainer had fallen into the water. However, eyewitnesses reported the orca leaped up and grabbed her waist.
Audience members attending the orca show were evacuated while rescue workers attempted unsuccessfully to save the victim.
This marked the third human death associated with the whale named Tilikum. In 1991, Tilikum was involved in a trainer’s death in Canada.
Other orcas at SeaWorld were also reported to have attacked trainers in 2004 and 2006.
“One of our most experienced animal trainers drowned in the incident,” said SeaWorld director Dan Brown, adding that an investigation was underway.
Jim Solomons, spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, said the trainer “appeared to have slipped or fallen in the water, but it’s too early to say whether the orca attacked her.”
However, witnesses described the whale attacking the trainer. Visitor Victoria Biniak told a local TV station the incident happened just after Brancheau finished introducing the upcoming show to the audience.
“The whale jumped up, grabbed the trainer by her waist, and began pulling her under. The last thing we saw were her shoes floating up,” Biniak said.
Due to Tilikum’s size and prior fatal incidents, trainers were prohibited from entering the water with this orca. Only about 12 of the park’s 29 trainers worked with Tilikum. Brancheau had the most experience collaborating with this whale and was one of SeaWorld’s most seasoned trainers.
