San Diego
A Sea World whale trainer received minor injuries Wednesday when he was bumped by a whale during an afternoon performance.
Trainer Chris Barlow was admitted to Mercy Hospital for observation after he was hit in the abdomen about 2:30 p.m. He was in good condition Wednesday night, nursing supervisor Donna Borden said.
The incident occurred while one of the whales in the tank was escorting Barlow from the tank to a stage and another whale interrupted the routine by swimming into Barlow, Sea World spokeswoman Jackie Hill said.
She said Barlow climbed out of the water and went backstage. Paramedics took him to Mercy Hospital.
“General procedure when we don’t know the extent of injuries is to immobilize the person and take him to the hospital,” Hill said.
Hill said she didn’t know which whales (Shamu, Namu or Kandu) were in the tank at the time. The show continued as scheduled.
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