Whale Stunt Hurts Sea World Trainer
Bad timing during the killer-whale show at Sea World sent a trainer to the hospital with fractures of the ribs, pelvis and upper leg, according to Jackie Hill, the facility’s public relations director.
One whale was sent into a “breach” behavior by the trainer, John Sillick, 26, which involves the whale rising out of the water, turning to its side and falling back into the water, Hill said.
“When the whale was falling back into the water, it accidentally fell on top of the other whale that Sillick was riding,” Hill said.
Fellow trainers standing on the side of the tank rescued Sillick, who was conscious, according to Hill.
Sillick, who has been a trainer at Sea World for two years, was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center and underwent surgery. Doctors also checked for any other internal injuries, Hill said.
Sillick was in serious condition Saturday night, a hospital spokeswoman said.
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