on august 20, 1989, while filming in dunkirk and buffalo, new york, toby was preparing for the most dramatic stunt sequence in the film, during which a water tower was supposed to topple to the ground. when a cable attached to the tower snapped unexpectedly, it sheared off a telephone pole, which fell on halicki, killing him instantly. the accident occurred in an area behind the former j.h. williams tool factory at 400 vulcan street in buffalo.