A 12,300 pound orca named Tilikum has killed it's trainer by dragging her into the pool and thrashing her underwater. The incident happened at SeaWorld Orlando while the trainer, Dawn Brancheau was talking to visitors after a show. Members of the audience who witnessed the attack said the whale "thrashed her all around" and pulled her under the water.

Florida Police have stated that the experienced whale trainer "slipped and fell" into the tank but more than 50 witnesses verify that the incident was no mistake, the trainer was allegedly stroking the whale before it swam away and rushed back grabbing her out of the air in its mouth before thrashing her aggressively underwater.

40 year old Brancheau who was married with no children, had many years experience as a whale trainer and had once spoken of the dangers surrounding her job, "You can't put yourself in the water unless you trust them and they trust you." Brancheau had been inspired to works has a whale trainer after a visit to SeaWorld at the age of 9.

30 year old Tilikum, nicknamed Tilly had reportedly behaved unusually and did not respond to directions in an earlier show. Trainers had previously been prohibited from swimming with the animal due to its unpredictable temper. Questions are being raised as to whether the 5 tonne killer whale should be allowed to continue working near humans as it is the third death he has been linked to.

Tilly was named as one of three whales linked to the death of a trainer at Sealand of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia In 1991 and in 1999 the body of Daniel Dukes was found in Tilly's tank when policed had understood the man sneaked into the compound at night.

General Manager of SeaWorld, Dan Brown, had to hold back tears while he stated that the company's safety procedures will be an enquiry into the safety procedures while the park remains closed and shows at their other shows are cancelled.