SeaWorld trainer killed by killer whale

Image by rockabillyboy72 via Flickr

February 24, 2010 4:02 p.m. EST

(CNN) -- A killer whale killed a trainer Wednesday afternoon at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Department said.

The spokesman, John Mulhall, said the trainer was pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident did not occur during a performance, said a spokeswoman for SeaWorld, who added that more information was to be released soon.

CNN's John Couwels contributed to this story.