Orlando, FLAs Theme Park Accidents go, it was nasty as it was tragic. Even though it didn't directly affect paying customers in the same way as, say, a rollercoaster derailing or an amusement park ride failing, the accident proved traumatizing to anyone who was in attendance. And now SeaWorld has announced it is re-opening "Dine With Shamu" after a killer whale at SeaWorld Orlando attacked and killed an Orlando trainer just under a year ago.
The Orlando Sentinel noted on January 14 that SeaWorld will restart the attraction at its facility in San Antonio February 26–almost a year to the day after the tragic accident that took the life of an aquatic trainer in Orlando—with plans to bring the show back to SeaWorld's other two marine theme parks at San Diego and Orlando later this spring.
The horrific theme park accident involving SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau occurred at the end of a "Dine With Shamu" show, during which patrons pay about $40 for the opportunity to see an aquatic trainer work with a killer whale while patrons enjoy a buffet lunch. Following the show on February 24 of last year, the six-ton orca whale named Tilikum grabbed Brancheau without warning and pulled her into the water, where Brancheau was killed.
The Sentinel reported that numerous patrons were still in the viewing area when the accident happened. It is not known if guests required counseling after witnessing the Amusement Park Accident. However, it was reported that SeaWorld has been embroiled in various levels of fallout since the accident happened, including a court battle with the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The latter hit SeaWorld with a $75,000 fine and recommended trainers not be allowed unprotected contact with Tilikum in future. OSHA did not, apparently, have anything to say about "Dine With Shamu" events in other locations and with different killer whales.
The Sentinel reported that SeaWorld is making changes to the show arena, including the installation of glass in the guest viewing and dining areas. SeaWorld is also resurfacing the edge of the pool area. The orca at the heart of the tragedy—Tilikum—will not be used in the Orlando show initially after "Dine With Shamu" re-launches, presumably with another orca serving in the role.
However, in spite of the horrific theme park accident involving the killer whale, SeaWorld hinted that Tilikum might return to performing in the event at some later time.
Theme Park Accidents can involve both patrons at a park, and workers—many of whom are so-called "carnies" that travel around and offer their services to various shows, carnivals and amusements. Just as patrons require legal recourse if they are injured at a theme park through no fault of the own, so too are workers who may fall victim to poor working conditions.
A worker, and a patron can both become adversely affected by poorly maintained equipment—the kind of circumstances, which may lie at the root of a roller coaster accident, for example. Often, however, the issue at hand is not always cut-and-dried. It is for this reason that many workers or patrons injured at an amusement park or carnival will seek the services of an amusement parks injury lawyer conversant with the issues at play in that particular sector.
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