Castmember dies after fall..

[GBBT]

I don't know how to post articles but just saw on Orlando Sentinel that a castmember in the pirate tutorial fell during the show and broke his neck days ago and has died.Was it Cap'n Jack? Condolences to his family.

[Lakin]

Yea, about 4 days ago I think, he fell and had to get 55 stitches in his face. He was recovering well, but then died of a blood clot.

I believe that it was Jack's assistant that fell.

Prayers + Pixie Dust to his friends and family during this hard time.

[GBBT]

Was that the red headed guy?

[GrumpyFan]

Wow, that's really sad.

[5 Mousekteers]

Here's the article from the Orlando Sentinel; Prayers and for his family.

A performer at Walt Disney World died Monday, days after he was injured during a show at the Magic Kingdom.

Mark Priest was performing Thursday in a "Pirate Tutorial," an interactive show in which actors lead guests through a series of "pirate skills" tests. Priest fell and broke his neck, according to colleagues, and he had been hospitalized since the accident.

Disney said it was not given any indication that the injuries Priest suffered in the initial accident were life-threatening. But the resort said it contacted both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Orange County Sheriff's Office after learning of his death.

"Today, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our fellow cast member," Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said. "Our hearts go out to his family and fellow cast members, and we are offering our support to them during this difficult time."

A deputy sheriff is being sent to Disney this evening to take an initial report on the incident, spokeswoman Cpl. Susan Soto said.

Sentinel Staff Writer Willoughby Mariano contributed to this report.

[mrsgaribaldi]

How terrible. Prayers and for him and his family.

[RBrooksC]

It sounds like one of those accidents that if it happened nine more times, he would have gotten a little scrape but this time everything came together in such a way that he suffered really bad injuries.

[DizneyRox]

Disney just can't catch a break these days...

[Bethis26fan]

how sad

[Melanie]

Very sad! What a freak accident.

[TheVBs]

How awful.

[Lizzy]

This is tragic. What a sad year for Disney so far. My prayers go out to the family of the fallen castmember.

Here is the article from the FL Today

ORLANDO — A Walt Disney World performer has died, four days after being injured in a Magic Kingdom show.



A friend says 47-year-old Mark Priest was sword-fighting in “Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial” when he slipped and hit his head on a wall.


A Disney spokeswoman said the company had no idea his injuries were life-threatening. Disney on Monday contacted the sheriff’s office and Occupational Safety and Health Administration after hearing Priest died.


Priest’s condition was improving, and didn’t seem serious immediately after the injury. The actor was able to rush offstage and joked about his condition at the hospital.


He was moved out of intensive care Monday, but deteriorated rapidly and died. No official cause of death had been determined.

[Tinkermom]

So sad. I wonder if it was a blood clot or if he had a small bleed in his brain. I hate to hear of people who seem to be doing fine and then die so unexpectedly. Lots of prayers for his family, friends and co-workers.

[DisneyOtaku]

This is such sad news. Prayers and pixie dust for his family.

[Bubbie Girl]

So sad to hear this. Many thoughts go out to his Family and Friends.

[GrumpyFan]

Disney just can't catch a break these days...

Poor choice of words...
But, I get your point and agree.
I don't remember there ever being this many castmember fatalities this close together. It's like there's a curse or something. Or, one might have to ask if there is a deeper issue going on like maybe reduced staffing, longer hours, cutbacks causing safety issues, etc. I'm sure OSHA will be looking into this.

[Dixie Springs]

Disney just can't catch a break these days...

My exact thoughts!

[Mousemates]

how sad

[Anthony]

I don't remember there being any tumbling or stunts at all in the Pirate Tutorial. Has it changed in the last couple of years?

[doombuggy]

I heard about this incident this morning when I came into the office; I received an email form a co-worker who sent the note around after I left, about Mark:

Today, I prayed for the swift recovery Mark Priest at our prayer luncheon. He was working at the Pirate Tutorial show at Magic Kingdom on Thursday and fell head first into a brick wall. Among other injuries, he required 55 stitches to his head and broke his neck in 3 places, though did not experience any paralysis. This afternoon, I received word that he experienced complications from a blood clot and passed away at the hospital.

Mark was a member of our church [God's House], and also belonged to the mid-week Bible study Monica and I lead. He was dear to everyone who knew him. Monica and I, and the many others whose life he touched, will mourn his loss. Please remember our church family in your prayers. He was not married nor had children, but both his parents came into town today to assist in his care and recovery from his injury. Little did they know they would be arriving for his memorial. I am not sure of his age, but I believe he was in his 40’s.

Apparently he was set to be discharged. A friend of mine suffered a brain aneurism back in 1999 out of the blue. you just never know.

Prayers, hugs and pixie dust to his family, friends and fellow CMs. I didn't know him there, but from what I have heard, he was well liked and will be missed.