Whether you’re on vacation or just looking for something to do in your hometown, spending the day at one of SeaWorld’s many parks can be appealing. From exciting animal encounters to thrilling roller coasters, there are plenty of attractions to amuse guests of all ages. However, on rare occasions, a visit to SeaWorld can turn tragic when a preventable accident occurs. Although most amusement parks are incredibly safe for visitors and employees alike, there have been many fatal accidents at SeaWorld properties over the years. In this new study, we take a deep dive into the deadly incidents that have occurred at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment-owned amusement parks, water parks, and theme parks.
How Many People Have Died at SeaWorld Parks?
To date, there have been 16 deaths at amusement parks, animal theme parks, and water parks classified under the SeaWorld brand. In some cases, a fatal accident may have occurred while a park was under the management of a corporation other than SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. For example, a fatal accident at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 1976 predated the park’s acquisition by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, which occurred in December 2009. To create the most comprehensive study on SeaWorld fatalities, we chose to include such incidents in our research.
Tracking Fatal Accidents By Individual SeaWorld Parks
As of the present date, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has had the most fatalities (4) of all parks classified as part of the Seaworld brand. Of the eight parks included in this study, five experienced at least two human fatalities over their years of operation, including:
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Discovery Cove
- Aquatica Orlando
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- SeaWorld Orlando
The graph below tracks deaths by individual SeaWorld-affiliated park.
SeaWorld Victim Demographics
Both park employees and visitors are at risk of unexpected accidents while at a SeaWorld park. However, over the course of our research, we discovered that visitors are three times as likely to experience a fatal accident than a park employee or contractor. As of August 1st, 2024, four SeaWorld employees have suffered deadly harm at one of the franchise’s parks, compared to twelve visitors.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits & Fines Against SeaWorld Parks
In some cases, the surviving family members of victims who suffered a deadly accident at a SeaWorld park filed what is known as a “wrongful death lawsuit”, with the help if a wrongful death lawyer. When a person suffers fatal injuries at the hands of another person or organization, a wrongful death lawsuit can hold the negligent party liable for the harm they caused. The victim’s surviving family members might be able to recover damages for funeral costs, lost income, and the emotional suffering experienced by those close to the deceased. We have included notes on wrongful death litigation associated with each fatal incident in the following sections of this study, where such information is publicly available.
Many SeaWorld accidents caused either the liable park or the franchise as a whole to face punitive fines, generally levied by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When significant fines are assessed against an amusement park or animal theme park, it’s usually in the aftermath of a fatal accident.
We used data sourced from the Good Jobs First national policy resource center to determine how much each SeaWorld park has been fined for workplace safety or health violations over the years. As of the present day, Sea World Of Florida LLC has accrued the highest amount of penalty fines for workplace safety violations, at $75,000. Sea World Of Texas, LLC has been fined $35,000 for workplace safety violations and Seaworld Parks And Entertainment, Inc. was fined $12,431. Overall, SeaWorld has been assessed approximately $15,701,591 in fines across all categories, which includes an $11,500,000 federal lawsuit penalty over consumer protection violations committed by the company.
Deaths Caused by Captive Orcas at SeaWorld
To date, there have been no confirmed cases of wild orcas attacking and killing humans, though there is a recorded instance of a surfer in Point Sur who was bitten in the leg by a whale. The whale quickly released the surfer, leading investigators to conclude that the man had likely been mistaken for a sea lion, since sea lions are natural prey to orcas and there were a number of the mammals in the area.
In contrast to wild orcas, there have been numerous incidents of attacks on humans by captive orcas, many of which resulted in significant or fatal injuries. Researchers have hypothesized that captive whales may be more likely to harm humans due to boredom, unnatural and forced interactions with performers that would not occur in the wild, or simple incidents that occur in small spaces with little margin for error. To date, there are four confirmed human deaths caused by captive orca attacks. Two of these four deaths occurred at SeaWorld Orlando and were connected to the whale Tilikum.
During his more than thirty years in captivity at various facilities, Tilikum was involved in the deaths of three people. Two of the people who suffered fatal injuries in interactions with him were trainers, one at Sealand of the Pacific in Canada and the other at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida. The third victim was a homeless man who snuck into Tilikum’s enclosure at SeaWorld Orlando after the park had closed. The only other whale to have a documented fatal encounter with a human is Keto, who killed a trainer at the Loro Parque facility in Spain. Some captive whales with at least one aggressive encounter with a human include:
- Cuddles
- Haida II
- Hugo
- Kandu V
- Kasatka
- Keto
- Nootka IV
- Orkid
- Orky II
- Tilikum
- Winston/Ramu
The stark difference between aggressive behavior towards humans demonstrated by captive orcas, as opposed to wild orcas, highlights the need for careful consideration of the ethical consequences of using such incredible creatures in shows and attractions worldwide.
Have Any SeaWorld Trainers Been Killed in 2024?
As of October 1st, 2024, no SeaWorld trainers have been killed in accidents during the current calendar year. Thus far, the only SeaWorld trainer to lose their life in a fatal accident at a SeaWorld park is Dawn Brancheau. Brancheau lost her life in an attack by the captive orca Tilikum at SeaWorld Orlando on February 24th, 2010. Since 2010, no SeaWorld trainers have suffered fatal injuries while working at one of the franchise’s parks.
Deaths by SeaWorld Park
As of August 1st, 2024, there are eight parks affiliated with the SeaWorld brand where there has been at least one recorded fatality. Each fatal incident is recorded in the following sections, with accidents arranged according to which amusement park, water park, or theme park they occurred in. If you want to find information on deadly accidents at a specific SeaWorld location, please use the corresponding link below to immediately be taken to that section of the study:
- Adventure Island
- Aquatica Orlando
- Aquatica San Antonio
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Discovery Cove
- SeaWorld San Antonio
- SeaWorld Orlando
Fatal Accidents at Adventure Island
Adventure Island is a water park located just across the street from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The 30-acre water park opened on June 7th, 1980, and features ten water slides, two pools, and three children’s play areas. The ride Rapids Racer is one of the park’s main attractions, as the world’s first dueling saucer water slide.
As of August 1st, 2024, there has been one reported death at Adventure Island.
Ride: Key West Rapids
Date: September 10th, 2011
Cause of Death: Struck by lightning
Situation: While clearing guests from the Key West Rapids ride tower due to poor weather, a 21-year-old lifeguard was fatally struck by lightning. The employee was reportedly standing in two to three feet of water when he was struck. The victim was removed from the water and CPR was performed, with fire units arriving at the park within four minutes of the incident. Despite being transported to a local hospital, the victim succumbed to his injuries. No other employees or park guests were harmed.
Fatal Accidents at Aquatica Orlando
Aquatica Orlando is a sister park of Discovery Cove and SeaWorld Orlando. Initially opened in 2008, this water park features a number of attractions tailored to all age ranges. Aquatica Orlando has a southern Pacific theme and boasts an 80,000 square-foot man-made white-sand beach with umbrellas, sun beds, and chairs for guests to lounge in.
As of August 1st, 2024, there have been two reported deaths at Aquatica Orlando.
Ride: Roa’s Rapids
Date: October 4th, 2010
Cause of Death: Natural causes
Situation: At 11:12 a.m., a 68-year-old male tourist from Manchester, England was found unresponsive on Roa’s Rapids. The victim was promptly transported to Dr. Phillips Hospital but declared dead of natural causes shortly before noon.
Ride: Roa’s Rapids
Date: July 15th, 2017
Cause of Death: Drowning, along with pre-existing health conditions
Situation: A 58-year-old man was found unresponsive on the Roa’s Rapids ride. The victim dealt with multiple health problems, including high blood pressure and a history of seizures and strokes. He was a resident at a nursing care home and was on vacation with thirteen fellow residents of the facility, along with a certified nursing assistant. The medical examiner determined the victim’s cause of death to be drowning, although influenced by his additional health factors.
Fatal Accidents at Aquatica San Antonio
Aquatica San Antonio is a water park that opened on May 19th, 2012. The water park is a companion to SeaWorld San Antonio and features a range of attractions suitable for all ages. Some of the park’s iconic features are a rafting ride that passes through an underwater grotto and a drop pod slide that is advertised as the largest in Texas.
As of August 1st, 2024, there has been one reported death at Aquatica San Antonio.
Ride: Big Surf Shores
Date: August 1st, 2019
Cause of Death: Cardiac arrest
Situation: While in the park’s wave pool, a 33-year-old man went into cardiac arrest. San Antonio EMS transported the victim to Christus Santa Rosa Westover Hills Hospital, where he later passed away.
Fatal Accidents at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an animal theme park that initially opened on June 1st, 1959. The park has an annual attendance that consistently exceeds four million, which is one of the higher figures for parks that are part of the SeaWorld chain. The park features a number of roller coasters and attractions suitable for visitors of all ages, including a pair of water rides. In the present day, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay falls under the ownership of United Parks & Resorts, making it a part of the greater SeaWorld chain of theme and amusement parks.
As of August 1st, 2024, there have been four reported deaths at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Ride: Python
Date: 1976
Cause of Death: Heart failure (possibly)
Situation: A 39-year-old man died after riding the Python. This incident occurred mere weeks after the ride opened. Although news sources do not confirm the cause of the victim’s death, it is possible that heart failure played a role in the incident. Prior to the fatal event, the Python’s tagline was “I challenged the Python and lived!” This tagline was promptly removed.
Ride: Kumba
Date: June 10th, 1995
Cause of Death: Pre-existing heart condition
Lawsuit: Victim’s mother sued the park and was awarded $500,000, which was reduced by jury verdict to $350,000
Situation: A 13-year-old girl suffered a heart attack after riding Kumba. A birth defect made the victim’s heart more susceptible to irregular rhythms, which caused her heart to contract rapidly in random twitches after the ride ended. The victim lost consciousness and never regained breathing or a pulse. The girl’s mother sued the park and was awarded damages of $500,000. A jury cited the park for lackluster rescue attempts and delayed CPR efforts. The damages awarded were reduced by jury verdict to $350,000, as the mother was found to be 30% responsible for the fatal accident due to her previous drug abuse.
Ride: Montu
Date: May 24th, 2000
Cause of Death: Undiagnosed heart condition
Situation: Approximately an hour after getting off the Montu ride, a 30-year-old man died of a massive heart attack. The doctor who performed the victim’s autopsy noted that he had a medical condition that causes the narrowing of the coronary arteries. The undiagnosed condition was so serious that it could have caused a fatal heart attack at any moment, even if the victim was at rest.
Ride: Gwazi
Date: July 24th, 2006
Cause of Death: High blood pressure and hardening of the arteries
Situation: Less than two hours after getting off the Gwazi ride, a 52-year-old man from Palm Harbor experienced difficulty breathing, then collapsed. First responders performed CPR, but the victim was pronounced dead approximately two hours later. A coroner’s report indicated that hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure were contributing factors in the victim’s death.
Fatal Accidents at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Originally known as “Busch Gardens: The Old Country,” the now-dubbed Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a 422-acre amusement park in Virginia. The park was initially developed by Anheuser-Busch and offers attractions in various areas of the park, termed “countries.” Each of the park’s countries offers a taste of life in a different region of Europe, with themed food, music, and attractions. Busch Gardens Williamsburg features fifty-three attractions, including ten roller coasters and three water rides. The park is currently owned by United Parks & Resorts, making it a part of the larger SeaWorld chain.
As of August 1st, 2024, there have been two reported deaths at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
Ride: Big Bad Wolf
Date: May 2nd, 1993
Cause of Death: Blunt force trauma
Situation: While performing work on the roller coaster, a 63-year-old employee was fatally struck in the head by the ride’s train. The employee had reportedly been attempting to uncover a camera that monitored a portion of the ride’s track, but it is not known why he chose to do so while the ride was still in operation. The man perished approximately a day after the incident due to his injuries.
Ride: Big Bad Wolf
Date: March 1st, 2003
Cause of Death: Fall
Situation: A seasonal contractor hired to perform painting work was killed when the high-reach vehicle he was on overturned. The man was painting the Big Bad Wolf when the fatal incident occurred. James City County fire officials reported that the victim was already deceased by the time they arrived on scene.
Fatal Accidents at Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is an Orlando theme park owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. It is the sister park of Aquatica Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando. The main appeal of Discovery Cove is the theme park’s range of exclusive animal encounters, which allow guests to swim with dolphins, snorkel with sharks, or explore a reef. Discovery Cove admission is all-inclusive and can also be bundled with tickets to SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Busch Gardens Tampa.
As of August 1st, 2024, there have been three reported deaths at Discovery Cove.
Ride/Attraction: Coral Reef
Date: January 29th, 2009
Cause of Death: Septic shock and organ failure
Situation: A 59-year-old tourist from Greater Manchester died after cutting his toe on live coral while swimming with fish. The victim was rushed to Wythenshawe Hospital via air ambulance. When he arrived, he was diagnosed with organ failure and septic shock. Doctors amputated both of the victim’s legs in an attempt to prevent infections but the victim perished from group B streptococcal septicaemia, which caused multi-organ failure.
Ride/Attraction: Swimming Pool
Date: May 28th, 2024
Cause of Death: Drowning and seizure disorder
Situation: A 13-year-old girl drowned after getting into difficulty in the water at Discovery Cove. Attempts were made onscene by lifeguards to revive the victim, who was promptly taken to the Arnold Palmer hospital. Despite doctors’ efforts, the victim perished on May 31st. The cause of death was determined to be drowning, with seizure disorder also a related factor in the fatal accident.
Ride/Attraction: Swimming Pool
Date: July 8th, 2024
Cause of Death: Drowning
Situation: For the second time in just two months, there was a fatal drowning incident at Discovery Cove’s pool. A 51-year-old man was found unresponsive in the pool shortly before 10:00 a.m. and was promptly taken to Dr. P. Phillips Hospital. The victim was pronounced dead later that evening.
Fatal Accidents at SeaWorld San Antonio
SeaWorld San Antonio originally opened on May 27th, 1988 under the name “Sea World of Texas.” When the park initially opened, it was marketed as the largest marine-life theme park in the world. To the present day, SeaWorld San Antonio is the largest of the three SeaWorld parks. The marine mammal park boasts 416-acres of animal encounters, attractions, and exhibits for guests of all ages to enjoy. SeaWorld San Antonio also benefits from the presence of its companion park, Aquatica San Antonio.
As of August 1st, 2024, there has been one reported death at SeaWorld San Antonio.
Ride/Attraction: Parking Lot
Date: June 24th, 2018
Cause of Death: Blunt force trauma
Situation: A 5-year-old girl was fatally struck by a pickup truck in the parking lot of SeaWorld San Antonio when leaving the park with her parents. The girl slipped away with her parents and ran in between two cars shortly at approximately 8:00 p.m., when she was struck by a vehicle. The driver of the truck stopped to render aid and was visibly distraught after the accident.
Fatal Accidents at SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando is an animal theme park located in Florida. Although it is separate from the nearby Aquatica Orlando, Discover Cove, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay parks, all four are owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. As such, the parks are frequently marketed together. The park features numerous animal exhibits and attractions suitable for patrons of all ages.
As of August 1st, 2024, there have been two reported deaths at SeaWorld Orlando. Both fatal incidents involved the captive whale Tilikum, who was involved in the deaths of three people in separate incidents over the years.
Ride/Attraction: Orca Pool
Date: July 6th, 1999
Cause of Death: Drowning, trauma
Lawsuit: Victim’s parents filed a lawsuit against SeaWorld Orlando, the lawsuit was later dropped
Situation: The naked body of a 27-year-old man was found draped over the back of captive orca Tilikum in the whale’s enclosure. Although there was initial speculation that the man died of hypothermia, a coroner determined that the man perished of hypothermia and his body showed signs of significant trauma. The man had visited the park the day before, stayed past closing, and then dodged security to enter the orca tank. Small pieces of the man’s body were found at the bottom of the pool and he had multiple visible injuries, such as puncture wounds on his leg. This was the second death recorded in connection to Tilikum, the first having occurred in 1991 at Sealand of the Pacific.
Ride/Attraction: Orca Pool
Date: February 24th, 2010
Cause of Death: Drowning, traumatic injuries
Punitive Actions: OSHA fined SeaWorld Orlando $75,000 for three infractions on August 23rd, 2010. Two of the infractions were related to this incident.
Situation: After a Dine With Shamu show, a 40-year-old veteran SeaWorld trainer suffered fatal injuries as a result of a close encounter with the orca Tilikum. The trainer was in close proximity to the orca as part of a post-show routine when the whale grabbed her and dragged her into the water. Eyewitnesses claim the victim was dragged into the water by her shoulder or arm, while the park’s official statement claims that the victim was dragged by her hair. The whale caused significant injuries to the victim, scalping her and biting off one of her arms. The victim’s cause of death was described as a combination of drowning and traumatic injuries. This was the third and final death connected to Tilikum.
Methodology
For this study, we primarily used data gathered by the United States Department of Labor to determine when, where, and how fatal accidents occurred at SeaWorld parks and facilities. From there, we used additional primary and secondary sources such as newspaper articles, eyewitness testimony, and legal records to confirm that each incident did occur as initially described. To protect the privacy of victims’ families, we chose not to include the names of anyone who perished at a Seaworld park or facility.
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