The State : Whale Injures Trainer in Act

A Sea World animal trainer was seriously injured when a six-ton killer whale landed on him during a weekend show at the San Diego aquatic park. John Sillick, 26, was caught between two whales when one propelled itself in the air and landed on the one he was riding. The impact broke Sillick’s ribs, pelvis and femur, Sea World spokeswoman Jackie Hill said. He was reported in stable condition after surgery at the University of California, San Diego, Medical Center. Sillick is a two-year veteran of Sea World and numerous stunts with the whales. “It was a timing problem,” Hill said. “It was absolutely not an aggressive act on the part of the whale.”