Disney World Stunt Performer Dies During Rehearsal; Third Employee Fatality This Summer
ORLANDO, Fla. — A 30-year-old stunt performer died Monday night during a rehearsal at Walt Disney World, marking the third on-the-job employee death at the theme park this summer.
Anislav Varbanov, a cast member in the long-running Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, sustained a fatal head injury while practicing an acrobatic maneuver. According to Disney officials, the stunt — which required Varbanov to leap into the air, dive over another performer, and land in a tuck-and-roll on a mat — is a standard move that has been performed safely thousands of times since the show’s debut in 1989.
Despite immediate medical attention, Varbanov died shortly after the accident. He had only recently joined the stunt show, bringing with him years of experience as a gymnast and acrobat.
In response to the tragedy, Disney canceled Tuesday’s scheduled performances of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and offered grief counseling to cast members. “The only common thread is the sense of loss we feel for these valued cast members,” said Disney spokesperson Zoraya Suarez.
Varbanov’s death follows two other fatal incidents at the resort this summer. In early July, a monorail operator was killed in a collision between two trains. A few weeks later, another performer died after a backstage fall. Federal investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are reviewing each case independently, and no connections have been made between the incidents.
Disney has launched an internal safety review and expressed its condolences to Varbanov’s family. “We are focused on supporting our cast members and Anislav’s loved ones during this difficult time,” Suarez added.
The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular remains temporarily closed as the investigation continues.
