Pluto killed in
parade
From BRIAN FLYNN
in New York
A DISNEY parade turned to horror last night as a worker dressed as
Pluto was crushed to death by a float.
Javier Cruz, 38 wearing a costume of the kids favourite was
run over backstage as he was walking near the end of the
parade.
He was just about to walk through the crowds at the Magic Kingdom
in Disney World, Florida.
Disney last night insisted the shocking accident had happened out
of sight of thousands of children lining the route.
The tragedy occurred at 5.25pm local time as entertainers dressed
as famous characters began their regular evening parade.
Mr Cruz had worked at the park for eight years.
Donna-Lynne Dalton, of the Teamsters Local 385 union, which
represents costumed workers at Disney World, said: Its just a
horrible, horrible tragedy.
Disney spokeswoman Rena Callahan said: To my knowledge there has
never been an accident like this before.
Clearly, its a difficult and tragic day for all of us.
Mr Cruz was killed yards from where Disney chief executive Michael
Eisner was entertaining Wall Street analysts in a VIP area.
The grisly death marked a tragic end to a dramatic day at Disney,
where Eisner is fighting a £35billion takeover bid.
The last time a worker died at Disney World was in 1999 when a
part-time employee working in the loading area of the Magical
Kingdom Skyway fell to his death.
Orange County police department said Mr Cruzs death was a tragic
accident.