A scripted thrill at Walt Disney World morphed into a real-life emergency this week when a cast member threw himself in the path of a malfunctioning 180-kilogram (400lb) prop to shield spectators.

The incident, captured on video during the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, underscores the razor-thin margin for error in high-octane live performances. While the audience initially watched in awe, the gravity of the situation became clear as the massive sphere breached its safety zone.

A Script Gone Wrong

The drama unfolded during a recreation of the iconic opening scene from 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, where Harrison Ford’s character outruns a giant stone sphere. In the Florida theme park's version, the prop is controlled by a track system.

Video footage verified by Streamline News shows the massive prop—which park blogs confirm is made of rubber but weighted to nearly 180kg—bouncing off its designated rails. Instead of stopping, it bounded toward the seated audience.

In a display of quick thinking, a staff member is seen stepping directly into the boulder's trajectory. The impact knocked him to the ground, but his intervention successfully halted the prop's momentum before it could reach the crowd.

Recovery and Review

The aftermath was immediate and sobering. Footage shows the staff member unable to stand as colleagues rushed to his aid. Disney officials have since addressed the accident, confirming the worker is under medical care.

• Status: The employee is currently "recovering" from his injuries.
• Action: The specific stunt element has been suspended pending a safety review.
• Prop Details: A 12-foot diameter rolling sphere, approx. 180kg.

"We're focused on supporting our cast member," a Disney spokesperson stated on Wednesday. "Safety is at the heart of what we do, and that element of the show will be modified as our safety team completes a review of what happened."