In the wake of a $75,000 fine levied against SeaWorld Orlando for safety violations related to a trainer's death, a New Hampshire couple is suing the theme park, claiming their 10-year-old son suffered emotional distress from witnessing the tragedy.
 
In February, the killer whale named Tilikium grabbed Dawn Brancheau's long hair as she lay on a cement slab and dragged her into the pool.  The cause of death was drowning and traumatic injuries.
 
Suzanne and Todd Connell's lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and alleges that their son, Bobby, "saw the look of horror and desperation on Dawn's face as she was swimming for her life." The family claims the boy has been plagued by gruesome nightmares ever since.  
 
"There seemed to be no plan as to what to do to save Dawn," the lawsuit said. "The SeaWorld employees were acting in an unorganized and chaotic manner."  SeaWorld spokesman Fred Jacobs said in an e-mail that he couldn't comment on a pending lawsuit.  "We are in the process of a thorough review of our killer whale program right now and will make any changes that we feel will improve the safety of our staff and guests," Jacobs said.
 
—Source: Unionleader.com (New Hampshire)