Second Cast Member Dies This Summer at Disney World

It is my sorry duty to report that for the second time this summer another Walt Disney World Cast member, 47 year old Mark Priest had an accident last Thursday, August 6 2009 whilst performing in "Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial," an interactive show in which actors lead guests through a series of pirate-skills tests, Mark died four days later, yesterday, Monday August 10th at Florida Hospital Orlando due to complications.

Mark had been taking part in a a mock sword fight, when “he stumbled on a wet spot on the stage and then banged into a wall”, said friend Jeffrey Breslauer - as reported in the Orlando Sentinel. "It was a very freakish thing,". His injuries included a broken vertebra in his neck and a cut that required 55 stitches to his scalp.

"Our hearts go out to his family and fellow cast members, and we are offering our support to them during this difficult time," Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said.

The fall took place during Priest's first performance Thursday morning. The actor playing Captain Jack Sparrow was supposed to kick Priest's character, Mack, in the buttocks at the end of a sword fight. When Priest stepped afterward, he slid on a wet patch and fell into a wall. He was reported to be bleeding heavily and could barely see, but he left the stage quickly so children would not be upset.

This is the second death of a Walt Disney World Cast Member in an on-the-job incident this summer, following the monorail crash that claimed the life of a monorail driver last month.

There will be more on this story in the following days I am sure, and I’ll do my best to follow up as best I can.