But one of the other staff there that day says he did notice Keto seemed to have deliberately positioned himself between his trainer and the stage. Alexis Martnez (died December 24, 2009) was an orca trainer at Loro Parques Orca Ocean in the Canary Islands, who was killed by a SeaWorld-owned orca, Keto. "With everything that is going on, something could happen at any time.". The postmortem into the death of trainer Alexis Martinez, 29, detailed various fractures, injuries and even bite marks sustained as he was attacked by the animal. They claimed he "was knocked by the orca in an unexpected reaction of the animal" while Keto was "shifting his position.". Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission OSHRC, Docket No. The incident shocked the world and raised important questions about the safety and ethics of keeping orcas in captivity for entertainment purposes. Loro Parque ceased (apparently permanently) all waterwork with killer whales (Tr. But Alexis' employers initially characterised the death as an "accident", insisting his pummelled body showed no signs of violence. Keto the orca was born in captivity and appeared at water parks in water parks in San Diego, Ohio, Texas and the Canary Islands, but in 2009 he attacked his trainer Alexis Martnez. However, months later, official documents revealed the true horror. The 29-year-old had blood streaming from his nose and mouth while his colleagues hopelessly tried to revive him. Alexis post-mortem stated he had "died due to grave injuries sustained by an orca attack, including multiple compression fractures, tears to vital organs, and the bite marks of the animal on his body". He suffered horrific injuries including significant internal bleeding. Keto immediately after taking a breath returned to [Alexis] and then resurfaced near stage with [Alexis] on his rostrum and with his mouth closed. On October 6 2007, an apprentice trainer called Claudia Vollhardt was also attacked and nearly killed by the orca Tekoa. He had been caring for a 6,600lb male, named Keto, who had been flown over from the US after being born into captivity - never experiencing life in the open ocean. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Keto pulled Alexis under water and then rammed him in his chest. Russian dictator, 70, ANDREW NEIL: What's REALLY going on in Boris Johnson's head - and why I'd advise Rishi Sunak to sleep with Find out what Uber drivers really think of you! And he was right - as just weeks later, Alexis was horrifically killed by an orca during a training session. Mr. Rokeach and the Loro Parque trainers were eventually able to get Keto to enter another pool, where Keto could be isolated while Alexis body was recovered. Orca Ocean assistant supervisor Rafael Sanchez, in his testimony to investigators, said: "The animal in question moved towards him and hit him and violently played with his body.". The incident report said: "Keto surfaced with Alexis and seemed calm, but appeared to position himself between Alexis and the stage. It is surprising that advocates of ending the breeding of orcas in human care should be offended by these images, precisely because sexual frustration at not being able to access the pool where there are orcas of the opposite sex with which to mate can trigger this type of behaviour.. Alexis has told his girlfriend he was exhausted due to the stress of working with the orcas and the pressure of the upcoming Christmas show, reported journalist Tim Zimmermann. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. He was described as "handsome, generous, and funny" by his partner Estefana Luis Rodriguez. The orca took a quick breath before returning to Alexis. Just three years after his final move something in Keto snapped and he launched a terrifying and fatal attack on one of his trainers, Alexis Martnez. Something went wrong, please try again later. Since Martinezs death, the trainers do not enter the water with the whales. 408 The trainer and whale were working on the Christmas show in a training pool and everything seemed normal - but then the giant orca started to behave strangely. In the weeks leading to his death, killer whale trainer Alexis Martinez confided in his girlfriend that his "risky" job was taking its toll. The 29-year-old is said to have attempted to perform a stand-on spy hop, where he balances on the killer whale's rostrum as it rises up and out of the water. It was after one of the Dine With Shamu shows that Tilikum carried out his brutal act. The shocking video depicting a killer whale dragging and dunking a trainer at SeaWorld San Diego went viral and was aired by all major news networks in the U.S. and abroad. He had suffered horrific injuries, including massive internal bleeding, and nothing could be done to save him. She had a special relationship with the huge killer whale, Tilikum, also known as Blackfish. They claimed he "was knocked by the orca in an unexpected reaction of the animal" while Keto was "shifting his position.". Eventually, after 30 seconds, the killer whale obeyed, leaving Alexis at the bottom of the pool. There are reports that he would spend hours on end just lying on the surface of the water. On one occasion, he rammed Tekoa, leaving him bleeding, and on another he bit Kohana's dorsal fin. Alexis joined the orca in the pool while another trainer, Brian Rokeach, positioned himself on the stage, while several other members of staff mulled around. However, Keto had dived too deep into the 12-metre pool - forcing his trainer to abandon the move in the depths of the water. During a training session, Keto pulled Alexis under water and then rammed him in his chest. Why Covid's 'lab leak' theory isn't all that crazy: Fascinating interactive map logs EVERY single How to use the 'JAILBREAK' version of ChatGPT: Simple trick lets you access an unfiltered alter-ego of the 'How I snatched JK Rowling's baby out of her abusive husband's arms - and helped her flee with the Harry French authorities fear 'narco-tourists' could flock to Normandy beaches after 'more than two tonnes of Hopes for cervical cancer vaccine after trials in mice showed it reduced tumours 80 per cent of the time. Exclusive: Shocking Footage of Orca Panicking in Medical Pool | Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project, Do not sell or share my personal information. It was the last routine he and Keto would ever attempt. The next horrifiying sight those watching saw was Keto resurface with Alexis on the tip of his rostrum and his mouth closed. Serena Williams stepmom's debts continue to spiral amid crumbling home battle, 'Glaring error' left 'habitual liar' Alex Murdaugh 'boxed in' during trial, Alex Murdaugh jailed for life after disgraced lawyer guilty of murder, Murdaugh sentenced to LIFE in prison after being found guilty of double murder, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Trainer Alexis Martinez, 29, was killed by 6,000lb killer whale Keto in 2009, The animal lover's chest was crushed by the orca during a training session, Alexis with Dawn Brancheau - who was killed by an orca just two months later at SeaWorld, pulled her into the water by her ponytail. Alexis' family have said they feel like they were "lied to" over his death - with Estefana claiming she was at first told he was "fine" when contacted by the park, even though they knew he was already dead. But he took a tumble as Keto leaned to one side, before trying the stunt again - when he again fell into the water. For his whole life Keto has never been able to swim in the open ocean - instead he is confined to a swimming pool where he spends his days entertaining crowds of tourists. And the trainer, 29, felt all was not well at the exhibit he worked at, Orca Ocean. Many experts and former trainers believe Tilikum turned serial killer purely as a result of his traumatic time in captivity, with the landmark 2013 documentary Blackfish shining a light on longstanding concerns. It concluded that although the immediate cause of death was drowning, Alexis' death had been "violent". It shows Morgan, held in a small medical pool, battering the gate and trying to get into a larger pool with a male orca called Tekoa. It seemed to work and the orca returned to the surface of the pool and took a breath - but within seconds he dived back down to Alexis. The optical illusion will leave you stumped as it's asking people to spot the ghost hiding inside the room. . "My job is especially risky, and I really need to be well rested and ready," Alexis told his girlfriend Estefana. Tilikum died in 2017 after facing serious health issues, including a persistent and complicated bacterial lung infection. The grim autopsy report revealed his organs had been ripped apart and his chest was crushed before the orca then "played" with his body in the tank. Just months before his death, Alexis documented his concerns over the killer whales in his journals. I do believe that he loved her, and I know that she loved him.". Chillingly, four years before her tragic death, 10 years ago today, Dawn had spoken out about the dangers of working with orcas. Frantic trainers desperately tried to call Keto to the surface, signalling him by slapping the water and banging a bucket. On September 2, 2009, he alluded to an incident involving Brian Rokeach. I was a Love Island bombshell and here's what you DON'T see in the villa: Jay Younger reveals how much is Meet the female airline pilot who has turned the 'dumb blonde' stereotype upside down and taken social media JAN MOIR: Goodbye Ken, the world always seemed safer with you on the airwaves, Abstaining from masturbating RAISES risk of anxiety, depression and erectile dysfunction, study warns. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Tourists could watch the action as they ate and Dawn had climbed out of the pool. Trainer Alexis Martnez with the orca Keto, Alexis with his partner Estefana Luis Rodriguez, Alexis was just 29 when he was killed by Keto the orca, Keto inflicted terrible injuries on his trainer, Alexis Martnez, pictured with Dawn Brancheau, who was killed in Orlanda by an orca exactly two months after he was, Dawn was killed in a brutal way by Tilikum, Dawn had worked with orcas for years and had a close bond with Tilikum. She bent over the tank's edge to rub Tilikum when his behavior suddenly changed and he pulled her into the water by her ponytail. Yet as Keto noticed his mentor was on the move, the three ton orca made a beeline for him - ignoring Brian. Yet as Keto noticed his mentor was on the move, the three ton orca made a beeline for him - ignoring Brian. Keto, now 26, remains at Loro Parque where he performs to this day. "My job is especially risky, and I really need to be well rested and ready," Alexis told his girlfriend Estefana. Despite his skill, years of experience and intuition in dealing with the enormous creatures, he was no match for the beast. The report describes multiple cuts and bruises, the collapse of both lungs, fractured ribs and sternum, a lacerated liver, severely damaged vital organs, and puncture marks "consistent with the teeth of an orca". On Christmas Eve 2009, trainer Alexis Martinez, 29, was taking part in preparations for a special performance planned for the New Year. The alarm was sounded. Dawn and Alexis known each other from her time at Loro Parque. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. His death came just a year after SeaWorld announced they were ending their breeding program following years of campaigners railing against them. Three years later, a SeaWorld-born killer whale named Keto killed a trainer named Alexis Martinez at Loro Parque in the Canary Islands on Christmas Eve 2009. But the autopsy report told a different story, describing a violent attack. Chillingly, the captive whale killed his trainer and then refused to release her body. He was described as "handsome, generous, and funny" by his partner Estefana Luis Rodriguez. Alexis Martinez, age 29, had worked at Loro Parque since 2004. Just two months after his horror death, devoted killer whale trainer Dawn Brancheau was dragged into the water by an orca during a post-show routine. But he took a tumble as Keto leaned to one side, before trying the stunt again - when he again fell into the water. The 40-year-old had a special relationship with a huge killer whale called Tilikum, also known as Blackfish, but the creature killed her in a prolonged and violent attack. Four SeaWorld orcas were delivered by wide-body cargo plane in February 2006, and various SeaWorld staff occasionally traveled to Loro Parque. Tilikum died at the Florida attraction in January 2017. 408). On another, Keto had taken a chunk out of Kohana's dorsal fin. Just three years later, in December of 2009, Keto, a SeaWorld orca on loan to Loro Parque in the Canary Islands, brutally rammed and killed his Spanish trainer Alexis Martinez. 'The orca is obviously in huge distress and rams its head forcefully against the metal gate in what seems to be an attempt to escape, Helene Hesselager OBarry said about the footage. The Orca Keto Did Attack and Kill Alexis Martinez, Loro Parque Trainer: The forensic medical report certifies that the body of the young man exhibited the bite marks of the whale M. . MONTERO / SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE OCTOBER 3, 2010. Alexis had started his career in 2004 when he bagged a job at Loro Parque in Tenerife - one of only two parks in Europe to house killer whales. The video seemingly shows the injured orca pushed against a ledge. Loro Parque bosses issued a statement saying the death was an unfortunate accident, giving a probable cause of death as asphyxiation as a result of compression of his chest. . Suddenly, Dawn was dragged into the water. The animal in question moved towards him and hit him and violently played with his body. It's not Ken Peters because he was bald. Accomplished trainer Alexis was instrumental in leading the marine mammals in rehearsals for an upcoming festive show. He had confided in his girlfriend "something could happen at any time" - and his fears came true on Christmas Eve, 2004. An autopsy report later found that Keto had slammed into Alexis with such force that it caused his chest to cave in. But on Christmas Eve, 2009, Keto reacted in a. There are reports that he would spend hours on end just lying on the surface of the water. Mr. Rokeach entered the stage pool and retrieved Alexis' body from the bottom. It now works with the Humane Society of the United States to work against commercial whaling and seal hunts, and also campaigns against shark finning and ocean pollution and has switched its focus to rescue operations. But the park, which has a controversial history with its killer whales, insisted that the video shows a normal interaction between the two animals. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. He was skilled, experienced and intuitive when it came to the enormous, majestic creatures. The next horrifiying site those watching saw was Keto resurface with Alexis on the tip of his rostrum and his mouth closed. The digital creator and model is here to show that fashion is for women of all shapes and sizes, BBC Breakfast presenter shakeup as Naga Munchetty is still 'missing' from show, Broadcaster Naga Munchetty left fans questioning her absence during the latest episode of BBC Breakfast after she was replaced by Rachel Burden on the popular morning show, Simon Cowell unrecognisable as he joins wife Lauren Silverman after charity ball, Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell attended The Together For Short Lives Ball in London alongside his wife Lauren Silverman - and the TV star was looking rather different, 'YOU CAN SEE IT ON THEIR FACE': Life on UKs most terrifying estate of crackheads and needles forcing scared families indoors, Families living on the Millard Terrace estate in Dagenham have revealed they're looking to leave the filthy estate, Leon Bailey 'inhales laughing gas' from balloon as Aston Villa ace parties until 7am, Less than 24 hours after Aston Villa recorded an impressive 2-0 away victory over Everton at Goodison Park, footage of Leon Bailey appearing to inhale laughing gas emerged, 'Time traveller from 2858' issues warning about 'how the world will end', A self-professed 'time traveller from the year 2858' has claimed the world will end in 2038 during a war with an alien species that has apparently already invaded Earth, EXCLUSIVE: Sir Alex Ferguson ran a tight ship at Manchester United during his legendary days as manager at Old Trafford with young stars even having to get the boss's permission to buy a house, 'I raced against Michael Schumacher in F1 - now I'm a DJ with dreams of Glastonbury', EXCLUSIVE: Former Toro Rosso F1 driver Jaime Alguersuari sat down with Daily Star Sport to discuss his transition from motor racing to DJ and music producer and his plans for the future, Emmerdale spoilers feature Cain's bombshell Kyle decision, Victoria horror and Paddy recovery, Emmerdale fans can expect plenty of drama next week as Cain Dingle decides he needs to let Kyle Winchester move away for his own good and Victoria Sugden suffers a panic attack on a night out, BGT star' sizzles in lingerie snaps after she was 'inspired' by Page 3 icon Sam Fox, EXCLUSIVE: Britain's Got Talent impressionist Francine Lewis chatted about her racy glamour model past which kicked off after she was inspired my Page 3 icon Samantha Fox, Mason Greenwood 'won't play for England under Gareth Southgate' despite 'Jamaica snub', Manchester United star Mason Greenwood wants to one day play for England again but it won't happen while Gareth Southgate is still in charge, according to reports, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies in sleep aged 61 following brain aneurysm, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore has sadly died in his sleep in hospital weeks after suffering a brain aneurysm, as confirmed by his manager as tributes pour in.