A cast member at Walt Disney World in Florida sustained injuries after a dramatic intervention to stop a heavy stunt prop from colliding with spectators during a live show.
The Heart-Stopping Incident
The alarming event unfolded on December 30 during a performance of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! at the Orlando resort. The scene, intended to recreate the iconic moment where Indiana Jones flees a rolling boulder in Raiders of the Lost Ark, took a dangerous turn.
Video footage shared on TikTok by user @dumb_blonde11 captures the moment the 400lb (181kg) rubber boulder prop rolls out from smoke effects. After bouncing off part of the set, it began travelling directly towards the seated audience. One onlooker can be heard exclaiming, 'It's coming right for us!'
Heroic Intervention and Aftermath
In a swift act of bravery, a Disney employee positioned himself in the path of the moving prop to shield the crowd. The force of the impact knocked the worker to the ground. Other staff members were immediately seen rushing to his aid.
Witness Drew Bruinsma recounted the scene to People magazine, stating she initially 'didn't know what was going on' before the worker stepped in. She credited him with saving the audience from potential injury, calling it a 'crazy experience' they would always remember. A voice in another video declared, 'He literally saved our lives, that guy.'
Official Response and Safety Review
A Disney spokesperson confirmed to CBS News that a 'prop moved off its track', without specifically referencing the boulder. The company has since issued a statement, obtained by the BBC, focusing on the wellbeing of their team member.
'We're focused on supporting our cast member, who is recovering,' the statement read. It continued, 'Safety is at the heart of what we do, and that element of the show will be modified as our safety team completes a review of what happened.'
The incident comes shortly after Disney World announced a significant price increase for its park merchandise delivery service, raising the maximum fee from $40 to $99.99.
