Sea park fined over trainer death

The Federal Job Safety agency fined SeaWorld Orlando $75,000 (£48,000) yesterday for three violations uncovered while investigating the death in February of a trainer who was dragged underwater by a killer whale.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposes not allowing trainers to have contact with Tilikum, the killer whale responsible for trainer Dawn Brancheau's death, unless protected by a barrier. The whale was one of three orcas blamed for killing a trainer in 1991, and was also involved in a 1999 death. A SeaWorld spokesman said the park will contest the decision.