Shamu attack 1971

A NEWS 8 PRODUCER POKING AROUND IN AN OLD BOX UPSTAIRS FOUND TODAY’S THROWBACK FRIGHTENING MOMENT FOR A YOUNG WOMAN AT SEAWORLD, AND A CAREER MILESTONE FOR ONE OF OUR BELOVED PHOTOGRAPHERS. TAKE A LOOK: {CEC/VO} IT WAS APRIL OF 1971. A PARK SECRETARY HAD BEEN ASKED TO RIDE SHAMU AS A PUBLICITY STUNT WHEN THE WHALE TURNED ON HER. NEWS 8 PHOTOGRAPHER BEN CUTSHALL KEPT ROLLING AS THE WHALE DRAGGED HER UNDER WATER OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THE TRAINERS FOUGHT TO SAVE HER. FINALLY THE WHALE LET HER GO. LATER THEY DETERMINED IT WAS JUST DOING THE KILLER WHALE VERSION OF PLAYING AROUND. THE FOOTAGE WENT WORLDWIDE AND BEN WENT ON TO A LONG AND GREAT CAREER AT NEWS 8 BEFORE WE LOST HIM TO CANCER A DECADE AGO. Ben won the Golden Mike award for this incredible film.