FANS of ABC’s 9-1-1 are demanding that staff working on the show be given better work hours following the death of drama control Rico Priem.
The 66-year-old died in a car crash over the weekend after a 14-hour shift as a first responder.
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Rico, who helped set up and operate camera equipment on 9-1-1, worked the long shift Friday and Saturday morning.
The accident occurred shortly before 4:30 a.m. as he was driving home when his Toyota Highlander left Highway 57 in San Dimas, California.
The SUV overturned after going up an embankment on the highway.
Rico was pronounced dead at the scene, and Matt Loeb, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Workers, said in a statement declaration“Everyone in the IA family is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss.”
“We are working to support our members’ families, their companions and colleagues,” he added.
“Safety in all aspects of the work our members perform is our highest priority and we will assist in any investigation in any way we can.”
Following the personal and professional lives of first responders from the Los Angeles fire, ambulance and police departments, 9-1-1 currently airs on ABC.
The show ran for six seasons on Fox before the network canceled the series and ABC saved it for Season 7.
DEMANDING CHANGE
Fans of the procedural are pleading behind the scenes to make immediate changes to the crew members’ work environment.
This is really so painful.
User X
They demand better working hours for crew and shorter shifts.
“No one should EVER die for a TV show,” tweeted one angry fan. “This is truly heartbreaking and I give all my condolences to Priem’s loved ones.”
“Please give the team better hours,” the X (ex-Twitter) user added. “That shouldn’t even have been a cause for concern.”
“I will never understand why these big productions don’t have a rotating crew,” asked a second confused fan.
“Your shift ends, the next group arrives… It is unnecessary and inhumane to have someone working 14 to 18 hours without stopping,” they added.
“They need to pay for security for Uber rides to and from set,” one fan insisted, while another suggested, “max 10 hours a day for each crew member.”
TOUCHING TRIBUTES
Following Rico’s death, 20th Television, which produces 9-1-1, also issued a statement of condolences, according to People.
“On behalf of the studio and everyone at 9-1-1, we send our sincere and deepest condolences to Rico Priem’s family and friends,” the studio said in its statement.
According to Nina Moskol, also a member of the 9-1-1 crew on 9-1-1, Rico was about to retire and was excited about his next chapter.
“He had his already rich life planned out for retirement, including spending time with his wife, watching his great-nephew grow up, riding his beloved Harley, and even making an effort to stay connected with his friends,” she said on Twitter. Instagram Crew Stories.
“He was so excited about what he learned about retirement that he wanted to teach the ins and outs of retirement on site,” Nina added.
She ended her tribute to Rico with a warning to others in the industry.
“The two most dangerous parts of our days are going to work and coming home,” she wrote. “Please be safe out there. Hold on securely. Drive safely. Get off the road if necessary.”
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
