ACTOR Alec Baldwin has made his first public comments following the fatal shooting of a crew member, describing it as "a one in a trillion episode".
Baldwin was speaking on camera for the first time since cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died after being shot with a gun fired by Baldwin on the set of the movie Rust on October 21.
The actor said he had been ordered by the Sheriff's Department in Santa Fe not to discuss the investigation, but revealed he had spoken to Mrs Hutchins' husband.
Addressing reporters in Vermont on Saturday, Baldwin said Matthew Hutchins was "overwhelmed with grief".
"There are incidental accidents on film sets from time to time but nothing like this," said Baldwin.
"This is a one in a trillion episode, it's a one in a trillion event.
"He [Matthew Hutchins] is in shock, he has a nine-year-old son, we are in constant contact with him because we are very worried about his family and his kid.
"As I said before we are eagerly waiting for the Sheriff's Department to tell us what their investigation has yielded."
'New measures'
Asked if he would work with guns on set again, Baldwin referred to the rarity of such tragedies, but said he was interested in the ongoing effort to limit the use of firearms on set.
"So what has to happen now is, we have to realise that when it does go wrong and it's this horrible, catastrophic thing, some new measures have to take place," said Baldwin.
"Rubber guns, plastic guns, no real armaments on set. That's not for me to decide.
"It's urgent that you understand I'm not an expert in this field, so whatever other people decide is the best way to go in terms of protecting people's safety on film sets, I'm all in favour of and I will co-operate with that in any way that I can."
Authorities have not ruled out charging Baldwin following the death of Mrs Hutchins.
