A dramatic video has captured the frightening moment a heavy prop broke free during a live performance at Walt Disney World, leading to an employee being injured. The incident occurred during the popular Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.
Moment of Crisis on Stage
Footage shared by audience members online shows a 400-pound fake boulder becoming uncontrollable during the show's opening sequence. The massive prop, which is a central feature of the stunt, bounced along a ledge at the back of the stage before gathering momentum and heading directly towards a section of the audience.
Reacting instantly, a staff member sprinted into the path of the rolling boulder to prevent it from ploughing into the tightly packed crowd. The immense force of the prop struck the worker, knocking him swiftly to the ground. Other cast members were then seen rushing to his aid, helping him up and guiding him off the stage.
Recovery and Safety Review
In a statement provided to the Daily Mail, a Walt Disney World spokesperson confirmed the cast member is recuperating. "We’re focused on supporting our cast member, who is recovering," the spokesperson said. "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 full nature of the employee's injuries was not officially disclosed. However, People magazine reported he was seen leaving the stage with a bloody gash on his head. A post on X from someone claiming to know him identified the worker as Robert, a former stuntman, who received six stitches for his injuries.
Heroic Actions Praised Online
The employee's quick thinking was widely celebrated on social media, with many users hailing him as a hero. "Well, he stopped it from going to the crowd. Hero in my opinion," one Reddit user commented. Another agreed, writing, "Still, he took that to stop it hitting the crowd where there could be kids and elderly... A selfless hero."
The 30-minute Indiana Jones show, featuring explosive special effects and stunts inspired by the 1981 film 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', has resumed performances. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the show is now running without the problematic boulder prop in its opening scene.
This is not an isolated safety incident for the Florida theme park complex. In August, a ferry boat crash at Disney World reportedly resulted in multiple guests requiring hospital treatment after the vessel hit something during a storm, causing injuries.
