The stunt woman killed on the Deadpool 2 set in Vancouver Monday has been identified as an American professional motorcycle racer who was doing her first film as a stunt performer.
Multiple media reports have identified the woman as Joi “SJ” Harris, who was the first African-American female professional road racer.
Harris died Monday morning after crashing through a window at Shaw Tower near Jack Poole Plaza.
According to Deadline Hollywood, an online entertainment magazine, Harris was preforming a stunt by character Domino, a new character in the sequel. She was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash because her character did not wear one in 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
A 20th Century Fox spokesperson told Deadline: “We are deeply saddened by the accident that occurred on the set of Deadpool 2 this morning. Our hearts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of our crew member during this difficult time.”
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
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 occurring in the future.
