Wonder Man: Crew member dies in fall on set of new Marvel series
A crew member has died following a fall on the set of the new Marvel series Wonder Man.
The man, a rigger, fell from a catwalk on to a stage at the Radford Studios just outside Los Angeles on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
A spokesperson for Marvel confirmed the man’s death and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner identified him as 41-year-old Juan Carlos Osorio of Temple City, California.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and friends, and our support is behind the investigation into the circumstances of this accident,” a Marvel spokesperson said.
Riggers set up scaffolding to hold lights, cameras and other equipment at different angles. Filming was not taking place at the time of the accident, and production was halted for the day.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will investigate.
Matthew D Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said the union was shocked and saddened following the incident.
“We are working to support our member’s family, and his fellow members and colleagues,” he said in a statement. “Safety on set is our highest priority and we will assist Cal/OSHA in their investigation in any way that we can.”
Wonder Man is an upcoming Disney+ series starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, a stuntman turned superhero. Filming is set to begin in March after delays due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood last year.
Recent deaths on film and TV sets
Deaths on movie and TV sets are rare, although there have been a few in recent years that have resulted in lawsuits and calls for industry reforms.
One of the most high-profile instances occurred in October 2021, when cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot by a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal on the set of the western film Rust in New Mexico.
Baldwin has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
In 2014, camera assistant Sarah Jones, 27, was killed in a train accident on the set of the movie Midnight Rider, while in 2017, stuntman John Bernecker died on the set of The Walking Dead.
Between 1990 and 2014, at least 43 people died on sets in the US and more than 150 were left with life-altering injuries, according to a 2016 report by the Associated Press news agency.