Family records trainer with Tilikum

Video of whale attack remains sealed

A judge has temporarily blocked the release of SeaWorld …

SeaWorld workers describe attack

A killer whale that dragged a trainer to her death eluded …

Former SeaWorld VP of Animal Training

At the heart of it all is Tilikum, bought in 1992 from a …

SeaWorld, king of orca business

Shamu is big business at SeaWorld, which owns more killer …

Funeral set for SeaWorld trainer

Funeral services have been set for the SeaWorld Orlando trainer…

Video taken on SeaWorld field trip

Seventeen-year-old Katie Schroeder, who was at the SeaWorld …

SeaWorld: Tilikum won't be isolated

Trainers will continue working with a killer whale that grabbed…

Animal Behavioral Specialist Brian Gisi

Animal Behavioral Specialist Brian Gisi visited the FOX 35 …

VIDEO: SeaWorld statement on trainer

A killer whale killed a SeaWorld Orlando trainer who slipped or fell in its tank …

VIDEO: SeaWorld trainer with Tilikum

A killer whale killed a SeaWorld Orlando trainer, drowning her in front of a horrified …

Orca pulled trainer into water

A SeaWorld killer whale snatched a trainer from a poolside …

PETA statement on SeaWorld death

The following is a statement sent to FOX 35 by David W. Perle, …

Family records trainer with Tillikum

Sea World officials say Dawn Brancheau was pulled into the tank…

Whale training was her childhood dream

According to a profile of Brancheau in the Orlando Sentinel in …

SeaWorld San Diego suspends whale shows

A spokesman for SeaWorld in San Diego says its killer whale …

Family records trainer with Tillikum

Updated: Thursday, 25 Feb 2010, 9:56 AM EST
Published : Wednesday, 24 Feb 2010, 11:39 PM EST

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Sea World officials say Dawn Brancheau was pulled into the tank by a killer whale. Witnesses say she was in the tank and was dragged underwater by her ponytail by the whale.

The Connells say they saw the whole thing happen just after they finished their "Lunch with Shamu," just before 2 p.m. They said the two had been playful during the entire lunch. The Connells say they stuck around after the show to get some extra video, before turning the camera off -- not knowing what would happen next.

“When he pulled her I knew he pulled her it wasn’t the show. The show had long ended and I yelled ‘he took her under, he took her under’ and then someone else said it too. The other trainer jumped into action and I heard that it’s protocol not another trainer can go in the water,” said Suzanne Connell.

The Connells say their hearts go out to Dawn's family. The Shamu show will be closed indefinitely.