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Whale kills trainer during show Whale kills trainer during show
(10 minutes later)
A trainer at the SeaWorld marine park in Orlando, Florida, has died after being attacked by a killer whale.A trainer at the SeaWorld marine park in Orlando, Florida, has died after being attacked by a killer whale.
Officials described the tragedy as an accident, saying the woman fell in the water, but witnesses said the whale had jumped up and grabbed her by the waist.Officials described the tragedy as an accident, saying the woman fell in the water, but witnesses said the whale had jumped up and grabbed her by the waist.
Guests were evacuated while fire crews tried to rescue the 40-year-old, but they were unable to revive her.Guests were evacuated while fire crews tried to rescue the 40-year-old, but they were unable to revive her.
The killer whale - called Tilikum - was also involved in the death of a trainer in Canada in 1991, reports said.The killer whale - called Tilikum - was also involved in the death of a trainer in Canada in 1991, reports said.
Other whales were also said to have attacked trainers at Sea World parks in 2006 and 2004.Other whales were also said to have attacked trainers at Sea World parks in 2006 and 2004.
Conflicting accountsConflicting accounts
Wednesday's incident took place at around 1400 local time (1900 GMT) inside Shamu Stadium.Wednesday's incident took place at around 1400 local time (1900 GMT) inside Shamu Stadium.
SeaWorld's president called the woman highly experiencedSeaWorld's president called the woman highly experienced
"One of our most experienced animal trainers drowned in the incident," SeaWorld chief Dan Brown said in a brief statement to the media."One of our most experienced animal trainers drowned in the incident," SeaWorld chief Dan Brown said in a brief statement to the media.
The victim was identified by SeaWorld as Dawn Brancheau, a trainer with 16 years' experience.The victim was identified by SeaWorld as Dawn Brancheau, a trainer with 16 years' experience.
Mr Brown said an investigation was under way.Mr Brown said an investigation was under way.
Jim Solomons, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office, said the trainer "apparently slipped or fell" into the tank, but that it was too early to tell if she was attacked by the whale. Jim Solomons, a spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Office, said the trainer "apparently slipped or fell" into the tank.
"There is no sense of foul play. Right now this appears to be an accident," said Mr Solomons."There is no sense of foul play. Right now this appears to be an accident," said Mr Solomons.
The official account differed from that of eyewitnesses. He said it was too early to tell if she had been attacked by the whale, but the official account differed from that of eyewitnesses.
Park guest Victoria Biniak told a local TV channel that the trainer had just finished explaining to the audience what they were about to see.Park guest Victoria Biniak told a local TV channel that the trainer had just finished explaining to the audience what they were about to see.
At that point, she said, the whale "took off really fast, and then he came back around to the glass, jumped up, grabbed the trainer by the waist and started shaking her violently. The last thing we saw was her shoe floating."At that point, she said, the whale "took off really fast, and then he came back around to the glass, jumped up, grabbed the trainer by the waist and started shaking her violently. The last thing we saw was her shoe floating."
Another male audience member gave CNN a similar version of events.Another male audience member gave CNN a similar version of events.
The entertainment park, known for its killer whale, seal and dolphin displays, was closed after the incident. SeaWorld in San Diego also suspended its killer whale show.The entertainment park, known for its killer whale, seal and dolphin displays, was closed after the incident. SeaWorld in San Diego also suspended its killer whale show.
Previous attacksPrevious attacks
The killer whale, known as Tilikum, was reportedly involved in several incidents in the past, the BBC's Andy Gallacher reports from Florida.The killer whale, known as Tilikum, was reportedly involved in several incidents in the past, the BBC's Andy Gallacher reports from Florida.
BBC's Andy Gallacher: Reports say this whale has a dubious pastBBC's Andy Gallacher: Reports say this whale has a dubious past
One involved the death of another trainer in 1991 while Tilikum was performing in British Columbia, Canada.One involved the death of another trainer in 1991 while Tilikum was performing in British Columbia, Canada.
After the whale - nicknamed Telly - was sold to SeaWorld Orlando it was involved in a second incident when authorities discovered the body of a naked man lying across his back in 1999.After the whale - nicknamed Telly - was sold to SeaWorld Orlando it was involved in a second incident when authorities discovered the body of a naked man lying across his back in 1999.
Officials later concluded the man, who had either sneaked into SeaWorld after hours or hidden in the park until it closed, most likely drowned after suffering instant hypothermia. Officials later concluded the man, who had either crept into SeaWorld after closing time or hidden in the park until it closed, probably drowned after suffering hypothermia.
There have been incidents involving other whales at SeaWorld.There have been incidents involving other whales at SeaWorld.
In November 2006, trainer Kenneth Peters was bitten and held underwater by a 7,000lb (3,000kg) female killer whale during a show at SeaWorld's San Diego park. He escaped with a broken foot.In November 2006, trainer Kenneth Peters was bitten and held underwater by a 7,000lb (3,000kg) female killer whale during a show at SeaWorld's San Diego park. He escaped with a broken foot.
In 2004, another whale at the company's San Antonio park attempted to bite a trainer, but he too escaped.In 2004, another whale at the company's San Antonio park attempted to bite a trainer, but he too escaped.
Though called a killer whale, the orca (Orcinus orca), is actually the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family.Though called a killer whale, the orca (Orcinus orca), is actually the largest member of the oceanic dolphin family.
Animal rights group Peta says it has long been asking SeaWorld to stop taking wild, ocean-going mammals and confining them to an area that, to them, is "the size of a bathtub".Animal rights group Peta says it has long been asking SeaWorld to stop taking wild, ocean-going mammals and confining them to an area that, to them, is "the size of a bathtub".