A female stunt driver has died on the Vancouver set of Deadpool 2. Police confirmed the news Monday morning not long after reports of the accident started coming out.
The accident happened during a stunt on a motorcycle. The motocycle crashed through a window at Shaw Tower near Jack Poole Plaza.
Police, as well as investigators from Worksafe B.C. and the coroner's service, responded to the scene.
Deadpool 2 actor and producer Ryan Reynolds posted a statement on social media Monday afternoon saying the cast and crew are "heartbroken, shocked and devastated."
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 14, 2017
Meanwhile, Worksafe spokesperson Trish Knight Chernecki said Vancouver police contacted the agency at 8:31 Monday morning about a serious incident on the set and that a worker was seriously injured. Chernecki said Worksafe has five officers on site -- two inspecting the site for immediate occupational health and safety issues, and three investigating the cause of the crash, what could have been done to possible prevent it and what could be done to prevent similar incidents from occuring in the future.
Jason Cameron, business agent for film, television and new media with the Union of British Columbia Performers, which represents nearly 6,000 performers, including actors and stunt people, said the union could not comment on the incident or the identity of the stunt driver.
"Obviously it's a very tragic event," he said.
He added that the union had sent a representative to the set to assist production and offer any support needed to its members, including trauma counselling.
Union president Alvin Sanders issued a statement late Monday afternoon saying the union was "shocked and saddened" by the incident.
Please see a statement from the UBCP/ACTRA President Alvin Sanders on the fatal accident on the set of Deadpool 2, today. pic.twitter.com/6XSr1h58Nx
— UBCP/ACTRA (@UBCP_ACTRA) August 14, 2017
Big accident on the set of deadpool 2 today. Road is shut down, police tape, government safety officials were called. pic.twitter.com/QNcpRXZjN9
— Lyladder (@Lylat_R) August 14, 2017