A Walt Disney World employee has spoken out about the moment he was injured while heroically stopping a massive, runaway prop boulder from crashing into an audience of park guests.
The Moment of Crisis at the Indiana Jones Show
The incident occurred on 30 December at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular in Disney's Hollywood Studios, Florida. Robert Herrick, a cast member, noticed the large boulder prop, which is a central part of the live show, launch with unusual force towards the upstage wall of the Mayan Temple set.
Realising the 400-pound prop had come off its tracks and was barrelling towards seated spectators, Herrick sprang into action without hesitation. "The only thing going through my mind is that if it came up over the set, and I knew it would, that it can not hit the audience," Herrick told local news outlet WESH.
Injuries and Aftermath of the Impact
Herrick attempted to block the boulder's path, but the impact was severe. The prop knocked him off his feet, sending him flying into a downstage wall. He sustained whiplash and a bleeding head injury. Medical examinations later revealed he had fractured two vertebrae in his neck.
As a result, Herrick will need to wear a neck brace for the next eight weeks. Despite his injuries, he expressed his love for the show and his colleagues and stated he is excited to return to work. He emphasised that his familiarity with the attraction, which has run for decades without incident, allowed him to react swiftly, even though he had no specific training for such an event.
Show Changes and Audience Reaction
Following the accident, the popular stunt show is now being performed without the boulder prop. Herrick's quick thinking likely prevented serious injuries to families and children in the audience. He was deeply moved by the reaction from guests, recounting one father in the front row who had been filming with his children and told them, "That man saved our lives."
Herrick refuted online scepticism about the prop's weight, confirming, "I know it's infallible. It's filled with air. A lot of people in the comments said there's no way it weighs over 400 pounds. It absolutely does." His primary concern was solely to change the boulder's trajectory, with no thought for his own safety in the moment.
