Sea World trainer killed by whale died from 'blunt trauma': Post mortem reveals gruesome injuries

By Paul Thompson
Last updated at 9:22 AM on 01st April 2010

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A Sea World trainer dragged to her death by a killer whale suffered a horrific catalogue of injuries and died from 'blunt force trauma', an autopsy report has revealed.

Dawn Brancheau, 40, who was killed in front of a horrified crowd at Sea World Florida in February, suffered injuries to her neck, head and torso as she was tossed around by the seven tonne whale, Tilikum.

The report found she died from blunt force trauma and drowning. She had part of her scalp 'forcibly torn from her head' and one of her arms was almost severed.

Attack: Dawn Brancheau died from drowning and blunt force trauma when she was dragged underwater by a killer whale at Sea World Florida

Brancheau also suffered from a dislocated ear and fractures to her back, ribs, legs, arms and face.

Her spinal cord was damaged and her body was covered in cuts and bruises, according to the six page report from the Orange-Osceola County Medical Examiner.

Brancheau was powerless as the whale dived under water and thrashed her about in front of horrified onlookers at Orlando's Shamu arena.

By the time other trainers had ushered Tilikum into a corner by dropping nets on the pool, Brancheau was dead.

Following her death SeaWorld officials ruled out euthanizing the whale or releasing it back into the wild.

Horrific: Brancheau pictured moments before her death. Her family is now trying to prevent the release of footage capturing the attack

Since the accident Tilikum, who was known for his aggressive behaviour and had been involved in a previous death of a trainer, has not taken part in the regular shows.

Trainers are now banned from getting in the water with the seven other whales at the leading tourist attraction while an inquiry is held into the practice of swimming with the mammals.

The autopsy results come as Brancheau's family await a court ruling on their request to keep a video of the fatal attack private.

The shocking death was recorded on the theme park's CCTV cameras and several US news organisations have made a court request to see the graphic footage.

Unless a judge intervenes, the material will become public under Florida law once the Orange County Sheriff's Office concludes its investigation.

Jon Mills, a lawyer representing the Brancheau family said: 'There is no constitutional right to voyeurism and there is a constitutional right to privacy.'

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