Film Staff May Face New Charges in Death

Police may recommend that criminal charges be filed against production staff of a Hollywood action film in connection with the death of a Canadian stuntman in British Columbia last fall.

Supervisors on “Firestorm,” a 20th Century Fox film set for 1998 release, already face charges under the Canadian Workers’ Compensation Act that could lead to fines or a jail sentence or both. The next court date is July 31.

But Royal Canadian Mounted Police are also investigating the death of Keith Perepelkin, 32, near Squamish on Oct. 31.

“We’re looking at the possibility of negligence on the part of some of the primary people involved,” RCMP Constable Randy Reed said. “We’re looking at negligence and a possible charge of criminal negligence.”

Perepelkin died when his parachutes failed to open during a jump from a helicopter flying alongside a sheer rock face about 45 miles north of Vancouver.

A spokeswoman for 20th Century Fox said in Los Angeles that company officials dispute the initial charges and won’t comment on the prospect of criminal charges.

“Firestorm” features former NFL star Howie Long as a firefighter battling escaped cons during a forest fire.

Police are reviewing accident footage and statements. They have consulted experts.

“We’re getting quite close to the point where [a final report] would be submitted to [prosecutors] and a decision made on what if any criminal charges” will be filed, Reed said from Squamish.

The tragedy--British Columbia’s first film-industry fatality in five years--raises concerns about an industry that annually pumps more than $500 million into the provincial economy.

“Firestorm” is the kind of big-budget production that provides scores of jobs for British Columbia performers and technicians.

Alex Taylor, spokesman for the union representing British Columbia’s 150 stuntmen, noted that the industry accident rate is lower than in such industries as forestry and mining.

He declined comment on the “Firestorm” incident, noting that the case is before the courts. But Taylor said the union is conducting its own review of the accident to look for lessons to pass on to other stuntmen.

Sandra Buckler, a spokeswoman for the Workers’ Compensation Board, said officials treat the film industry like any work site.

“This accident was clearly preventable. This was a serious jump and could have been done in a different way,” said Buckler.

The board has charged Firestorm Productions Ltd. Partnership--the corporate entity created to produce the movie. Charges have also been brought against company employees Glen Wilder and Louise Rosner.

Charges against Wilder and Rosner--both Americans--include failing to ensure that Perepelkin was properly instructed so risk was minimized and also conducting a work process despite cause to believe harm might be involved.

Firestorm Productions faces these charges and an additional count of failing to ensure the adequate direction and instruction of a worker.

Under agreements in British Columbia, stuntmen are paid a flat rate of about $450 day, plus costs. They can also negotiate additional fees based on the nature of a specific stunt.