Universal Studios Hollywood performer hospitalized after stunt goes badly wrong

A performer in the WaterWorld show at Universal Studios Hollywood has been hospitalised after a stunt went wrong.

An afternoon performance of the WaterWorld show on Monday (23 January) was cut short after one of the stunt performers had to be taken to hospital.

The show is among the attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles, and features recreations of scenes from the 1995 Kevin Costner movie of the same name.

During the show, a stunt performer catches fire and dives into the water from a 30ft tall tower to douse the flames.

A man catching on fire and falling into the water is all part of the show at Universal Studios and meant to happen, but what caused concern was when he didn't resurface.

Footage of the show taken by an audience member shows other staff members rush into the water to help the stunt man, with one of them grabbing a flotation device to help bring him back onto dry land.

dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo

The performer was then given CPR on site before being hospitalised to receive further treatment, with audience members there to watch the show told there had been an emergency and escorted away.

One of the attendees was Daisy Anguiano, a huge fan of the WaterWorld show at Universal Studios and who regularly attends the display.

She told ABC7 that the incident occurred near the climactic finale of the show, which had to be cancelled following the incident.

She said: "I was like, 'Oh my God, some thing or someone might be drowning. It might be the person that just did the drop. Did something happen?'

"It was a full house, like it happened in front of everyone. Everyone in the staff and the crew is doing this together not letting this person die. He was unconscious while dragging him from the water.

"The thought of them getting injured is so low because they've done it for so long."

Lucy Clark / Alamy Stock Photo

Universal Studios has issued a statement on the incident, confirming that a man was hospitalised after the WaterWorld performance and that he was receiving care.

They said: "We can confirm a performer with one of our long-standing show vendors was transported to the hospital during an afternoon performance and our thoughts are with him as he receives care.

"Details surrounding the event are being reviewed."

The identity of the stunt performer and their current condition were not mentioned in the statement.

UNILAD has contacted Universal Studios for further comment.