InstagramA woman has been killed and a man injured after Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop firearm on a film set.
The incident took place on the set of the star’s new Western movie, Rust, in the US state of New Mexico on Thursday.
Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office, in New Mexico, said the film’s director of photography Halyna Hutchins had been shot.
A spokesperson for Mr Baldwin said there had been an accident involving the misfiring of a prop gun containing blanks.
Ms Hutchins, 42, was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
A spokesperson for the medical facility told STV News: “University of New Mexico Hospital, the state’s only Level 1 trauma center, had one patient transported by Lifeguard in critical condition. That patient passed away after arriving at the hospital.”
The film’s director Joel Souza was also hit.
The International Cinematographer’s Guild issued a statement that said the news was “devastating” and Ms Hutchins’ death was “a terrible loss”.
Mr Souza, 48, was taken by ambulance to Christus St Vincent Regional Medical Centre and is undergoing treatment for his injuries.
Police responded to the incident on the film set at the Bonanza Creek Ranch at about 2pm.
Mr Baldwin, who is a co-producer on the movie, plays infamous outlaw Harland Rust whose 13-year-old grandson is convicted of an accidental murder.
InstagramProduction on the film has been halted.
Adam Egypt Mortimer, an American director and friend of Ms Hutchins, said he was “sad” and “infuriated” about the loss of “a brilliant talent who was absolutely committed to art and to film”.
On March 31, 1993, while filming The Crow, Brandon Bruce Lee, son of Bruce Lee, was accidentally wounded on set by defective blank ammunition and later died in hospital.
His sister Shannon wrote on Twitter: “Our hearts go out to the family of Halyna Hutchins and to Joel Souza and all involved in the incident on Rust. No one should ever be killed by a gun on a film set. Period.”
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 480 branch offered support to those involved in Thursday’s incident.
A spokesperson said: “We are working closely to support all of our IATSE members through this shocking and devastating time.
“The Local is keeping all those involved in close thoughts and prayers and sending our deepest condolences to the family of our Local 600 sister who has lost her life.”
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