Cast Member Killed

[DisneyInsider]

Breaking news!

Apparently a cast member was killed today at WDW's Magic Kingdom.

I don't know tons of details....but it apparently happened at some boat dock....more info to follow

 

[MELSMICE]

Oh my goodness, how awful. I'm interested to hear what happened.

 

[DisneyInsider]

Here's the update...

Disney said a person in a character costume was killed after a float ran them over before the 3pm parade.

Rumor is it was a person in a Pluto costume.

Parade was cancelled.

At this point, no other information is available.

Sad day for the Disney cast.

Thoughts and prayers go out to the families.

 

[Jestocost]

Very sad indeed. From the WESH-TV Web site:

Disney Worker Killed In Parade Accident
POSTED: 4:12 PM EST February 11, 2004
UPDATED: 4:55 PM EST February 11, 2004

An accident during a parade at Walt Disney World killed an employee Wednesday.

The accident happened behind the scenes at the Magic Kingdom and was not witnessed by the public, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.

The employee was portraying a Disney character, but officials would not disclose what character was involved. The victim was believed to have been run over by a float, Reedy Creek Fire Department public information officer Bo Jones said.
Stay with WESH NewsChannel 2 and WESH.com for further details.

 

[Luv2Roam]

 

[Bob O]

Thoughts and prayers for the family!!!!

 

[princesstommi]

That is so sad!

 

[Luv2Roam]

They showed an ariel view of the parade at the side of Splash Mountain. I think that is where it took place. The parade was under way, but looks like floats were on their way out yet.
The news said a press conference is going on now at the Cont and will report back.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Here is the article from the Orlando paper below...........

A Disney worker was killed during a parade at the Magic Kingdom this afternoon, rescue officials said.

The worker, a costumed character taking part in an afternoon parade, was killed about 3:15 p.m., said Bo Jones, assistant chief of the Reedy Creek Fire Department.

"It was a costumed character, but I don't know which one," Jones said. Jones was unable to confirm reports that the worker was killed after being hit by a float.

Though unaware of the cause, Jones said the accident occurred in a backstage area, out of sight of guests.

Jones said the Orange County Sheriff's Office was looking into the death.

Disney officials did not immediately return calls for comment.

 

[lenshanem]

Wow, what a strange day.

Prayers to the family and friends.

How terrible....

 

[WDWguru]

From what I'm seeing on the wire, it appears the parade was ending and the accident happened backstage near the float "barn" area near Splash Mountain. If you've been on the Keys to the Kingdom tour recently, you probably visited that exact spot.

Seems to me the character would have had to trip and fall in front of the float or have been taking the head of the costume off or something in order to not get out of the way in time. I know those floats are heavy, but they don't move very fast.

 

[travelbug]

What a tragedy! Very very sad.

 

[Luv2Roam]

The film I saw was the local news flying overhead of where the accident supposedly took place. They were showing about three floats lined up at the Away From Public Viewing line, and by the RR tracks right by SM. The floats were lined up to leave the area. They siad the call came in at 3:30. I think the parade starts at 3:15.
And they said the parade was still underway at the time of the accident. I don't recall their exact words but I got the impression the parade floats were leaving that area. And that location and direction is what I have experienced and witnessed.

 

[mitros]

They have not yet contacted the next of kin, so they are not announcing the CMs name. It was possible that a few guests could have seen the accident, as the float was starting to move out into the parade line. The parade was halted at that point, and the rest of the parade was canceled. Parts of the parade had already left the staging area and were not aware of what happened. No word at this point if the parade will take place tomorrow.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

This is terrible news!

 

[Luv2Roam]

News on now.
Float was ready to pull out and the CM somehow got caught up in it.

 

[lenshanem]

Didn't I read at one time that this parade wasn't going to be used as long as they had intended due to some accidents that had already happened? Or am I dreaming? Anyone? If so, this could be worse...

 

[mitros]

It was near the Splash Mountain ride., newest line in the 6 oclock news

 

[dizneygirl55]

How sad! Prayers to the family and to all cast members!!

 

[Naisy68]

That is truly a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of that cast member. I cannot even imagine something like that happening. I feel really numb now.