Sea World tragedy update--Temporary injunction blocks SeaWorld video

A judge has temporarily blocked the release of SeaWorld surveillance video, showing a trainer's death after a bull orca held her underwater.

Dawn Brancheau , 40, was talking to SeaWorld guests about the whale, Tilikum , when it pulled her into the water. The incident occurred on February 24 in the park’s Shamu Stadium.

Dawn's husband, Scott Brancheau, asked Orange Circuit Judge Lawrence Kirkwood to block the release of the video which shows the actual incident. The injunction also blocks public access to photographs taken by the Orange County Sheriff's Office and Medical Examiner's Office.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office has the video recording as part of its investigation into the case. The hearing to permanently block the release of the footage takes place on March 24 at 10 a.m.

SeaWorld workers describe frenzy of fatal attack

The killer whale that dragged a trainer to her death eluded SeaWorld workers who furiously unfurled nets while it swam pool-to-pool during the attack last week, according to witness statements released Monday.

After minutes of frenzied work to save Dawn Brancheau, the whale was finally corralled but still refused to unclench its teeth and let go of her body, according to the investigative reports released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Investigators have said before that Brancheau died from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning.

"The whale would not let us have her," another trainer, Jodie Ann Tintle, told investigators after the Wednesday attack.

In the investigative reports, Brancheau's co-workers describe the swiftness of the attack and the furious response that came after alarms sounded around the pool. Employees who were at other pools, behind computers or emptying coolers of fish rushed to the scene.

Witnesses said Tilikum had let go of of Brancheau for several seconds, but snatched her again by the foot before anyone could react. The plastic, weighted nets — similar to temporary fencing used at construction sites — were unrolled and dropped in the water to help direct the whale to a pool with a hydraulic lift.

It's not clear how long it took workers to finally trap the whale in a pool with the lift, which they used to remove him from the water. One witness said it seemed like 10 minutes. Another said it could have been as long as 30 minutes.

Even after the whale was lifted out of the water, Brancheau still could not be freed.

"Tilly was not giving up Dawn," said Robin Ann Morland, another SeaWorld worker.

Numerous employees said the whale's jaw had to be pried open to remove Brancheau, 40. But her hand remained in the clench of Tilikum and they had to pry his mouth open again.

When they finally got Brancheau free, her body was placed on the deck and her wetsuit cut off. Paramedics pronounced her dead, and her body was covered.

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It is incredible to me that "learned" professionals will still suggest that this was not an attack/feeding frenzy, but instead just an animal playing with a toy!!!!!!