Production on AMC's hit series The Walking Dead has temporarily shut down after stuntman John Bernecker died as a result from injuries sustained on set. Bernecker was placed on a ventilator Wednesday after the accident, having fallen more than 20 feet and missing his safety cushion. The show was filming at Raleigh Studios in Atlanta, Georgia when the accident occurred. AMC released a statement yesterday to say that they were "saddened" by the news of the serious injuries while also announcing plans to postpone shooting of the season for an undeclared amount of time. No official statement from AMC has been released following Bernecker's death as of this writing.
Variety reports that 33-year old stuntman John Bernecker, whose specialty was high falls, suffered a serious head injury after falling more than 20 feet from a balcony on to the concrete, missing his safety cushion by inches. Bernecker was rehearsing a stunt and was airlifted to a near by hospital, barely able to breathe on his own and shifting in and out of consciousness. Bernecker was placed on a ventilator, which the family reportedly decided to shut off late Wednesday evening. The coroner said that the cause of death was accidental blunt force trauma to the head.
Bernecker performed stunts for over 90 Hollywood movies including The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Fate of the Furious, The Green Lantern, Logan, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to name a few. In addition to being a stunt performer, Bernecker also choreographed fight scenes and has a few more upcoming movies that will be released in the near future. Bernecker's work will be seen in the MCU's Black Panther as well as the upcoming Rampage movie starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Sylvester Stallone's Escape Plan 2: Hades. All three movies will hit theaters in 2018.
SAG-AFTRA, which represents stuntmen has said that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident to figure out what went wrong through a statement. The statement reads "We have been informed of a serious injury on the set of The Walking Dead and are investigating the situation. As always, the safety and security of our members and others on set is of our crucial concern to us and we are focused on this in our investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with the performer and his family."
The Walking Dead actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan took to Twitter early Friday morning to say "Deep sorrow today, and for every tomorrow. Love, respect, and condolences to John's family, and friends. He will forever be missed." In addition, actor Jordan Woods-Robinson tweeted "Can't stop thinking about John Bernecker. All of my love and hopes of solace goes out to his loved ones and community." Ann Mahoney, who appeared in season 7 of The Walking Dead said "Much sadness about #nola actor John Bernecker today. Sending peace to his family. Pray for them please." The cast and crew of The Walking Dead is said to be a close, tight-knit family, so it is hard to imagine what they are all going through at this time. It is unclear when the filming of season 8 of The Walking Dead will commence.
Deep sorrow today, and for every tomorrow. Love, respect, and condolences to johns family, and friends. He will be forever missed.
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) July 14, 2017
Can't stop thinking about John Bernecker. All of my love and hopes for solace goes out to his loved ones and our community.
— Jordan Woods-Robinson (@jwoodsrobinson) July 14, 2017
#JohnBernecker was one of the best most talented stuntmen I have ever been blessed to work with. Praying for his family and loved ones! ????
— Kellan Lutz (@kellanlutz) July 14, 2017
Was literally just joking around with #JohnBernecker on set a few weeks ago. Can't believe it. We lost such a great person & performer.
— Gary Weeks (@GaryWeeks) July 14, 2017
Sending peace, strength, love and prayers to the loved ones of #JohnBernecker . May his light live on in you #nola#TWDFamily ???? ❤️ ????
— Sabrina Gennarino (@girlsgottaeat) July 14, 2017
Our thoughts are with John Bernecker's family #twdfamily
— Major Dodson (@Major_Dodson) July 14, 2017
John Bernecker doubled me this season for a spectacular stunt on Turn S4. He was a beautiful, positive, meticulous professional who made...
— roukinofficial (@samuelroukin) July 14, 2017
John Bernecker was my double on @24fox he brought great enthusiasm and was beyond professional. I miss you bud. Prayers to your family #RIP
— Bailey Chase (@Bailey_Chase) July 14, 2017
#JohnBernecker It was a pleasure to know and work w/ you. May your soul now Rest In Peace, good, kind sir.
— JD Evermore (@jd_evermore) July 14, 2017
I mourn today with the stunt community at the tragic loss of stuntman John Bernecker.
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) July 14, 2017
My deepest condolences go to the family and friends of stuntman John Bernecker. He was a kind person and an incredible talent.
— John Francis Daley (@JohnFDaley) July 14, 2017