A visitor at controversial attraction Seaworld has told authorities she is still haunted after seeing a killer whale hold its trainer's body in its mouth.
Dutch tourist Susanne De Wit witnessed the death of Dawn Brancheau, who had worked at the resort for 15 years, back in 2010.
The tragedy which claimed the life of the 40-year-old led to trainers being banned from getting in the water with orcas.
Dawn eventually died from drowning, although her spinal cord was severed at the resort in Orlando, Florida, the Daily Star reports.
She was killed by Tilikum, who weighed six tons and was 22ft long. The killer whale was also involved in the deaths of two other people - animal trainer Keltie Byrne and Daniel Dukes, a member of the public.
The minutes leading up to Dawn's death were captured in chilling video footage.
The gruesome incident led to major changes at SeaWorld parks, with trainers no longer allowed to get in the water with orcas, but the memory still haunts witnesses like Dutch tourist .
In a statement to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, seen by The Sun, she recalled watching Tilikum (referred to by generic stage name "Shamu") through a viewing window as Dawn was killed.
The statement read: "They told us he was playing with the trainer. Suddenly I saw Shamu grabbing the trainer by the shoulder and pulling her down in the water near the window.
"It did not look normal. It was scary. He was very wild with the trainer still in the whale’s mouth. The whale’s tail was very wild in the water.
"The tour guide pulled us out and there was a full alarm. We then saw them throw a net into the water."
A report into Dawn's death by the Sheriff's Office refers to an interview with Susanne, noting how she recalled seeing Dawn's legs as she moved "extremely fast" while Tilikum "was shaking".
SeaWorld said in a statement: "That tragic situation happened more than 12 years ago. Trainers have not been in the water training with killer whales for many years.
"We have extensive protocols and training in place to protect the safety of our trainers and animals."
