The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) is investigating the death of a SeaWorld Orlando killer whale trainer.  An autopsy showed that the veteran sea mammal trainer likely died of multiple traumatic injuries and drowning, according to the Orange County Medical Examiner.  How the park handled previous whale attacks will also be a part of the OSHA investigation.

According to news accounts, this whale had been associated with two prior fatal attacks.  In this latest attack, the orca dragged the trainer to her death underwater in front of horrified spectators.  Sea World workers described to the press how the killer whale dragged the aquarium trainer by her hair with his massive jaws and teeth and would not let go.  The frenzy of the fatal attack shocked onlookers and begs the question, “If this animal had been involved in two prior fatalities, what additional safety measures were taken to protect the Sea World employees ?”