The victim was identified by Deadline to be Joi “SJ” Harris, the first professional black female motorcycle racer in US history, who was doing her first film as a stunt performer, specifically for Zazie Beetz’s character Domino.
Witnesses have described seeing the stuntwoman crash through the glass of Shaw Tower, located in Jack Poole Plaza. A source close to the situation stated that Harris had been rehearsing the stunt all day Saturday, with Global News‘ TV crew witnessing the rider complete the stunt successfully four times on the day, before the fifth time seeing her lose control of the bike.
An eyewitness claimed that, on the last take, the bike appeared to accelerate when it was supposed to slow down as she took a corner. Harris was not wearing a helmet at the time, as the character of Domino does not wear a helmet in the scene.
Production on the film was immediately shut down, and there has been no official statement on when it may resume.
Star Ryan Reynolds posted a statement about the incident on Twitter. “Today, we tragically lost a member of our crew while filming Deadpool,” he wrote. “We’re heartbroken, shocked, and devastated… but recognise nothing can come close to the grief and inexplicable pain her family and loved ones must feel in this moment.”
“My heart pours out to them — along with each and every person she touched in this world.”
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) August 14, 2017
“I’m deeply saddened by the loss of one of our stunt performers today,” director David Leitch wrote in a statement. “No words can express how I and the rest of the Deadpool 2 crew feel about this tragedy. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and loved ones in this difficult time.”
A spokesman for 20th Century Fox added, “We are deeply saddened by the accident that occurred on the set of Deadpool 2 this morning. Our hearts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of our crew member during this difficult time.”
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