In the past seven weeks, there have been three deadly accidents at Disney World in Orlando, which has prompted a federal investigation.
Last Wednesday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration sent agents to Disney World, just two days following the death of a performer during a stunt show rehearsal. Thirty-year-old Anislav Varbanov died from a neck injury sustained while rehearsing for the “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.”
Varbanov’s death occurred just one week after another performer, age 47, died after falling onstage during a different show. In July, a 21-year-old monorail operator died after a train collision.
According to a Disney representative, Varbanov was performing an acrobatic move that was common and had been part of the show since its inception. The stunt involves the performer jumping into the air, diving over another performer, tucking and then rolling onto the ground.
Vince Rango, a former stuntman with the show said that “there’s hydraulics involved, there’s explosives involved and everyone is really on top of their game. It’s very hot out there, the costumes are heavy and for my cast alone we did five shows a day, five days a week.”
Disney stated that the park is investigating the stuntman’s death and is reviewing training procedures.
There have been previous injuries from the show. Just one year after it opened, OSHA issued a $1,000 fine to Disney when three people were injured onstage from malfunctioning equipment.
