Gregg Alman Biopic ‘Midnight Rider’ Production Derailed by Fatal Train Accident; Film May Have Shot Without Permission; William Hurt Tried to Save the Camera Operator; Sarah Jones Funeral Held Today
Sarah Jones, 27, who was working on the Gregg Allman biopic "Midnight Rider" died during shooting. The funeral for Sarah Jones is being held today. Besides working on Midnight Rider, Sarah Jones was also a crewmember on "The Vampire Diaries." There is a movement in Hollywood to have her included in this year's Oscar honorarium.
"Midnight Rider," the Gregg Allman biopic that Sarah Jones was killed while working on, suspended production. Crew members are being released. The production company says they may be recalled at a future date.
During the first day of shooting "Midnight Rider" on Thursday, second camera assistant Sarah Jones, killed near Jessup, Georgia. The day's shoot was of a dream sequence on a railroad trestle, with a hospital bed on the tracks. Jones was killed when a train came across the bridge. The crew was hit was debris. Jones was knocked into the path of the train by debris from the bed.
William Hurt, who is starring in the film as Greg Allman, director Randall Miller and the production's still photographer tried to get the bed off the tracks but did not have time. Cameras were rolling as the train approached the bridge. It looks like the Midnight Rider production did not follow the safety procedures typical of a film shoot that has the cooperation of the railroad. Wayne County Sheriff's Department is conducting a homicide investigation. The Sheriff's office impounded the digital camera.
Sarah Jones's funeral is being held today in Columbia, S.C. IATSE and the International Cinematographers' Guild organized a memorial that will be held in Atlanta on Sunday.
The Hollywood Report wrote that the Midnight Rider production may not have been given proper permission to shoot. CSX railroad may not have given permission to "Midnight Rider" to be on its property.
"Midnight Rider" personnel could face criminal charges.
Published reports say some Midnight Rider crew members have retained a lawyer.
Film crew members from all over the world remember Sarah Jones with photo tributes and messages of remembrance. Over 800 images have been shared on the Facebook group Slates for Sarah. More than 30,000 people had liked the page.
