World

OSHA Says Safety Was Sacrificed On Allman Biopic Set

Lots of new info out about the 'Midnight Rider' accident that killed a crew member, including a new interview and word from the victim's family.

OSHA Says Safety Was Sacrificed On Allman Biopic Set
Getty Images / Jemal Countess
SMS

Several developments in the ongoing story of what really happened the day a camera assistant was killed by a train on the set of the Gregg Allman biopic "Midnight Rider." 

Allman himself has been dropped from a lawsuit by the camera assistant's family. But, we now know new details from a hairstylist whose arm was broken when the train struck. Joyce Gilliard told ABC the crew was given frightening advice for if a train was spotted. (Video via Rounder Records)

“[Someone said], ’You have 60 seconds to get off the track.’ I was more or less, ‘60 seconds to get off the track?’ ... I'm mad at myself because I didn't say something.”

Whether they actually had even that 60 seconds is unclear. The crew was filming when a train came down the track. Gilliard says she only had time to grab an iron girder — she was hit. 

Crew member Sarah Jones was killed — several others were injured. 

Gilliard also spoke out in May. She's suing the film's producers, the railroad company and the company that owns land the crew was filming near. 

Her new interview comes just after the conclusion of a federal investigation was released Thursday.

Deadline obtained the documents and notes some big takeaways.

-Crew members weren't told about an email from the railroad owner denying them permission to shoot there

-Safety was sacrificed to save money

Deadline explains as the train approached, the crew had to "run for their lives along a narrow wooden walkway."

Also Thursday, Jones' family dropped Gregg Allmann himself from their lawsuit. Though he was involved with the movie, the family ultimately concluded he had no say in the actual filming. 

Allman also pushed for the movie to stop production entirely after Jones' death.

The people who do face criminal charges are director Randall Miller, producer Jody Savin, pictured here, along with executive producer Jay Sedrish and first assistant director Hillary Schwartz — charges of involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass.

Miller and Savin, who are married, told ABC this "was not a crime," and that they expect the "true facts" to be revealed.

You can see Gilliard's full interview on ABC's 20/20 Friday night.