The Walking Dead Season 8 has resumed filming after being shut down last week following the death of stuntman John Bernecker, according to Variety.
Bernecker was filming a scene with Austin Amelio last Wednesday in which the 33-year-old stuntman will have to fall approximately 20 feet off of a balcony onto a safety cushion. According to the incident report obtained by Variety, assistant director Matthew Goodwin told the Coweta County Sheriff’s office that Bernecker did not get “a good separation” from the balcony and tried to abort the jump by grabbing onto the balcony with both hands. His momentum caused him to smash into the bottom of the balcony, which made him lose his grip and fall, missing the safety cushion by “just inches.” He landed on his head and neck, and immediately the on-site medic was there to render aid.
Bernecker was airlifted to an Atlanta medical center and placed on a ventilator, but his family opted to remove him from life support on Thursday. His official cause of death as stated the Coweta County Coroner’s office was blunt force trauma.
Showrunner Scott Gimple expressed his condolences in a statement released by AMC on Friday. “Our production is heartbroken by the tragic loss of John Bernecker,” Gimple stated. “John’s work on The Walking Dead and dozens of other movies and shows will continue to entertain and excite audiences for generations.”
He added, “We are grateful for his contributions, and all of us send our condolences, love, and prayers to John’s family and friends,”
TWD stars including Norman Reedus took to social media to share their condolences.
“love and prayers to Johns family and friends today. You will be missed,” Reedus wrote on Instagram.
