Circus fatal blamed on wire sparks

Dumbo the Elephant performs tricks in the ring during the Irem Shrine Circus at the 109th Field Artillery Armory on Monday. On Friday, the elephant became startled and killed his groomer, police said. The incident occurred inside the building and out of sight of witnesses, a spokesman said.PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
Sunday, April 11, 2010 5:57 pm Updated: 8:25 AM

The worker killed by a Shrine Circus elephant on Friday is identified as Andrew Anderton, of Florida
By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.comStaff Writer
WILKES-BARRE – More details regarding the Friday afternoon death of an elephant handler were coming to light Saturday, but the exact details may never be known.The death of Andrew Anderton, a handler for Dumbo, the elephant which performed at the Irem Shrine Circus held at the Pennsylvania National Guard’s 109th Field Artillery Armory most of this week – was ruled accidental by Luzerne County Coroner John Corcoran.
An autopsy performed Saturday morning by Dr. Mary Pascucci determined the handler, Anderton, 48, of Florida, died from multiple traumatic injuries, Corcoran said.
Anderton was pronounced dead at 4:50 p.m. Friday at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital after he was found lying on the floor in the back of the armory roughly 20 minutes earlier, Corcoran said.
Irem Shrine Circus Service Chairman John Richards explained there are only two entities that know exactly what happened Friday night and neither one can talk.
Anderton was alone with Dumbo in the rear of the armory when the incident occurred.
Richards said it is believed that Anderton was trying to fix some electrical wires in the ceiling attached to the wall, which were sparking near Dumbo. The electrical wires operated a large electrical garage door in the rear of the armory. Richards believes Anderton tried to protect Dumbo, and she, in turn, tried to protect him.
“The elephant appears to have grabbed ahold of him and moved him away from that,” he said.
Corcoran said Anderton did not suffer any electrical injuries and was bumped by the elephant. He declined to elaborate where on Anderton’s body he was bumped.
“The elephant definitely caused the injuries,” Corcoran said.
Anderton worked as a private contractor for Dumbo’s trainer, who was hired by Hamid Circus Inc. of Egg Harbor, N.J., to have Dumbo perform in the weeklong circus, Richards said. Richards said what is known is that the trainer entered the area and found Anderton on the floor with Dumbo standing nearby looking down at Anderton. Dumbo then moved approximately 50 to 60 feet away from Anderton and the trainer at the trainer’s request, remaining in the rear of the arena. Then, Richards explained, the trainer pulled the sparking wires down from the wall, causing the breaker to trip and turning off power, after the trainer pulled Anderton away from the wires. Dumbo then moved closer to the two men at the trainer’s request. Dumbo, a female African elephant, was then fastened to the ground with a chain as a precaution to keep her stationary because the trainer knew that medical response personnel and others would soon be arriving, Richards said.
Anderton cared very much for Dumbo, Richards said, noting the pair had a strong relationship.
“They lived together for the last 15 years. Before that they worked together for five years. It was a very close family relationship as far as the animal was concerned,” Richards said.
Anderton had sleeping quarters on his truck, but instead would take an air mattress and sleeping bag to sleep on the floor near Dumbo each night, said Richards.
Officials from the local Occupational Safety and Health Administration office arrived on the scene Friday evening to investigate, but did not return phone calls Saturday afternoon for comment on the investigation.
Richards believes the OSHA investigation is continuing, but he couldn’t say for sure.
Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and their facility manager inspected the building Saturday morning and afternoon, deeming it safe for the Shriners to present the remaining shows of the 61st annual circus, Richards said.
An electrician also inspected the area and pronounced it safe.
“We did have a certified electrician that was here and that looked at the wiring. He rendered it safe, so that we could turn the power back on and so we can operate the other doors that are available,” Richards said.
The 109th Armory, built in 1923, was slated to receive a major facelift this past fall, according to The Times Leader archives. The 99,000-square-foot facility is home to about 500 soldiers with the Pennsylvania Guard’s 55th Brigade.
A state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs spokesman said in July that the building was “in need of major improvements” from electrical systems upgrades to air conditioning work.
Sgt. First Class John Paul Karpovich, spokesman for the 109th Armory, could not be reached for comment Saturday night.
The circus’ three remaining Saturday shows were presented without a hitch and Richards was pleased with the attendance. He estimated about 2,500 people watched the morning show, with another 3,200 people at the afternoon show. Dumbo did not perform Friday night or in any of Saturday’s shows because the trainer was trying to make arrangements to have Anderton’s body transported back to his family in Florida for a funeral.
Richards said Anderton did not have any family involved in the circus, other than his adopted family consisting of the trainer and his family and Dumbo.
The elephant is currently being cared for by a member of the trainer’s family.
Richards noted he couldn’t foresee Dumbo being euthanized because she is so “gentle, very intelligent, very kind and very beautiful.”
“I am not the investigator. As it stands right now it is up to them for any decisions like that.”
He vehemently denied suggestions from local animal rights advocates that she was mistreated. Richards said members of the Luzerne County Humane Society arrived at the armory Thursday to inspect the animals’ performing and living conditions.
There were no animal rights advocates outside the armory during the Saturday afternoon show.
Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, contributed to this report. Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7159.