The Gun Counter

Owner: Special effects accident led to death during filming of show

June 15, 2012 12:32 PM

MATT STEINER

THE GAZETTE

A special effect designed to close a television show ended in tragedy at an El Paso County shooting range, the businesses owner said Friday.

El Paso County Sheriff's detectives were at the Dragonman's shooting range Friday morning investigating the fatal accident that happened Thursday evening as a television crew worked to film an episode of an unnamed cable show focused on military vehicles at the business east of Colorado Springs.

Deputies haven't named the woman who died, but the proprietor of Dragonman's, Melvin Bernstein identified the victim as his wife, 51-year-old Terry Flanell.

Bernstein said he, Flanell and three other family members were on the range as crews worked to film them walking through a haze of smoke. But the smoke bombs used for the show detonated, he said, flying through the air like rockets.

Bernstein said the flying debris missed others in the group, but hit his wife of 33 years. He described the projectiles as 10- to 12-inch long pipes.

"They went right through her body, she didn't suffer or nothing," Bernstein said. "She just dropped."

Bernstein didn't name the production company, but said the show was slated for a 13-episode run on a cable channel focused on military topics.

Sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. Joe Roybal said deputies waited until daybreak to continue work that began shortly after the incident occurred during the filming of a national television show.

"It's difficult to process a scene when it's dark," Roybal said.

Roybal said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were also investigating the death.

Bernstein said the smoke-filled shot was supposed to conclude the show, wrapping up eight days of filming at the range.

"All I wanted to do was lock up and go out to eat," Bernstein said before pausing and holding back tears Friday.

Bernstein said the show focused on military vehicles from World War I forward, using his collection of 87 military vehicles.

Thursday's death was the second accident in two days associated with filming at the shooting range east of Schriever Air Force Base. Bernstein said his brother suffered minor burns Wednesday.

Foul play is not suspected in either incident.

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Shooting Range Worker Killed in TV Show Taping

Colorado police and federal investigators are trying to determine what set off an explosion – what the ATF is calling an IED – that killed a woman on the set of a cable television pilot show Thursday evening.

“The scene is being processed, and as it is an active investigation nothing is ruled out at this time,” Sheriff’s office spokesman Sgt. Joe Roybal said.

Terri Flanell, 51, died when two 10-12 inch long smoke bombs turned rockets launched at her going approximately 150 mph, her husband Mel Bernstein told ABC News. The first smoke bomb flew at Flanell, causing her to trip. The other flew into her neck and exited her navel, killing her instantly, he said.

“I’ve been running this rifle range for 30 years and no one’s got hurt, because it is very safe here,” Bernstein said. “Out of eight days of filming, it happened in the last 30 seconds, the last frame. And it happened to my wife.”

The smoke bombs turned rockets missed Bernstein by four inches, he said.

“They were so close to my face, and if they would’ve hit me, I wouldn’t be here talking to you today,” Bernstein said.