A terrible tragedy occurred over the weekend on the set of the Gregg Allman biopic Midnight Rider: The Gregg Allman Story (based on Allman’s autiobiography My Cross To Bear), as one crew member was killed and seven others injured during filming. Crew member Sarah Elizabeth Jones, a second camera assistant, was killed after being hit an unexpected freigh train crossing the tracks where the crew was filming a dream sequence in the film.
A report from Variety.com states:
“the movie crew was filming a dream sequence on a railroad trestle when a train unexpectedly crossed the bridge. The crew, including director Randall Miller, had placed a bed on the tracks for the scene and was expecting two trains on the local bridge, one in each direction, when a third train arrived unexpectedly. A whistle warned the crew members of the next train, giving them less than a minute, which was too late.”
While details of the incident are still being investigated, the Associated Press reports that the film crew, in fact, did not have permission to film on the actual tracks, as they were given permission to film on the property next to the tracks. CSX, the freight train operator, issued the following statement:
“CSX is deeply saddened by a tragedy that occurred late today on a CSX rail bridge in Doctortown, Ga., and is cooperating fully with authorities as they investigate. A train was en route from Memphis to Savannah when the incident occurred.”
Gregg Allman also released a statement, via Facebook, yesterday:
“I am so terribly saddened by the news of the tragedy that took the young life of Sarah Elizabeth Jones on the film set. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and colleagues during this time of mourning.” – Gregg Allman
[via Jambase]
-CHRIS MEYER