About the Blogger
Henry Frederick is editor, publisher and CEO of NSBNews.net, (aka VolusiaNews.net) a 24/7 exclusively-online newspaper in New Smyrna Beach launched April 7, 2008. He is an award-winning breaking news and investigative journalist who has covered police and courts in Florida, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut dating back to 1986. He has covered many of the high profile cases in the Daytona Beach and DeLand courtrooms in Volusia County, including the numerous appellate hearings for serial killer Aileen Wuornos, and ultimately, her execution. He graduated from Central Connecicut State University in New Britain in 1984, with a B.A. in political science/public admin. and a minor in writing. He was the recipient of the "President's Citation" for his academic honors and service to the university.
View Henry's Blog Archives here
Orlando Sentinel report: SeaWorld trainer pulled under by ponytail in killer whale's jaw and drowned
Posted Fri, 2010-02-26 01:54
The Orlando Sentinel is reporting online and in today's print edition newspaper that SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau died Wednesday as a result of "multiple traumatic injuries and drowning" after a killer whale pulled her underwater by her long ponytail near the theme park's Shamu Stadium.
The Sentinel cited initial autopsy results detailing the manner and cause of death.
The newspaper reported: As horrified fellow trainers and visitors to the theme park watched, the 12,000-pound orca named Tilikum shook and tossed Brancheau and circled around in a tank with her arm in his mouth, witnesses told the Orlando Sentinel.
The Sentinel added: Brancheau, 40, was petting and otherwise interacting with the killer whale in knee-deep water about 2 p.m. Wednesday when he grabbed her by the ponytail and wouldn't let go, the Orange County Sheriff's Office determined.
Specific injuries weren't released and thenewspaper said it could not confirm other media reoports that the trainer's body was still in the whale's jaws when others got to her.
The Sentinel also reported SeaWorld officials will nt euthenize the 20-foot-plus killer whale and instead plan to keep him.
The whale show part of the park remains closed for now.
Comments
SeaWorld Death Dawn Brancheau
I am curious about the Ponytail grabbing. I would love to know if the ponytail was accidently caught in the Tilikum's whale teeth and this resulted in Dawn Brancheau being pulled into the Orca tank at SeaWorld. Once in the water one can only surmise the potential for traumatic injury due to the playful nature of Tilikum. I could and fully expect this to be considered as one theory in the death of Dawn Brancheau. As for the deaths of the previous trainer in 1991, I have no opinion.... I realize the balance of what occurred with Dawn Brancheau after the ponytail was grabbed by Tilikum, is the subject of the autopsy. My lack of knowledge and no video to reference in regard to whether the ponytail was actually accidentally caught or grabbed/pulled into the aquarium... Charles Black (lawgames@yahoo.com)
Editor's Note: Very thoughtful insights. Thank you... Hopefully, these questions will be answered in the course of the investigation by SeaWorld and the Orange County Sheriff's Office.
Post new comment