Producers of the AMC horror show “The Walking Dead” announced Thursday that showrunner Scott M. Gimple and executive producers Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and Dave Alpert would be unable to attend the Television Critics Association press event Saturday. Meant to promote season 8 of the popular zombie show, they cancelled as the date conflicted with the funeral of the show's stuntman John Bernecker.

Death of the ‘The Walking Dead’ stuntman

Bernecker died after he suffered an accident on set earlier this month while filming a season 8 episode.

As noted by Bleeding Cool, the stuntman suffered severe injuries due to blunt force trauma after falling on the set on July 12. While the script had him falling 22 feet onto a safety cushion, Bernecker reportedly had problems separating from the balcony and ended up landing on the concrete below, next to the cushion. The stuntman was airlifted to an Atlanta hospital and placed on a ventilator, but doctors established Bernecker would not regain consciousness. The next day the stuntman’s family was faced with the difficult decision to turn off Bernecker’s ventilator.

Limited panels at Comic-Con for ‘The Walking Dead’

The latest cancellation follows San Diego Comic-Con, where “The Walking Dead” producers cancelled many of their press appearances.

They held a few autograph signings and a panel at Hall H, where producers opened up about the loss of Bernecker. Gimple gave a statement from the stage to say Bernecker had died that week after being injured doing work that he loved. He said the stuntman loved to help tell stories to entertain and excite people and to give them an escape.

Gimple went on to say Bernecker was beloved among the stunt community and that he trained others to do the same as him.

At the time they said they weren’t sure if they should do the panel, but they did want to be there for everyone and to let everyone know what they had been working on, before revealing the trailer for "The Walking Dead" season 8 and taking questions.

Sympathy from cast of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’

As reported by Entertainment Weekly, the cast of the AMC spin-off, “Fear the Walking Dead” were also at Comic-Con and they chatted to them about the accident. Sam Underwood, who plays Jake Otto in the series, said how stunt men and women are an important part of the family, especially on their show. Underwood said they are in it with the actors and they would also support them as they would anyone else in the show.

John Bernecker's 2016 stunt reel is included below.
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