Circus show stopped after performer falls from height in front of children
The acrobat plummeted 30 feet and hit a metal pole on the way down.
A circus performer has been hospitalised after falling from a great height during an acrobatic stunt in the middle of a show.
The acrobat, a man in his 20s, was riding the ‘giant wheel of death’ during a performance at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
Video footage of the incident shows the performer plummeting around 30 feet after falling from an aerial spinning wheel and colliding with metal scaffolding before hitting the ground.
The full extent of his injuries is currently unclear but it is believed that he has broken several bones and was ‘conscious’ during the incident.
In a statement Hippodrome Circus said: ‘During the 6.30 performance of The Christmas Spectacular last night one of our stunt performers fell from the large performance wheel.
‘The performer remained conscious, but it was clear he had sustained some injuries. So the decision was made for the show to be stopped for the evening and the public exited. The artiste in question received immediate medical attention, paramedics then moved him to a medical facility for further evaluation.
‘We are under the impression that he is in a stable condition and has been evaluated overnight.’
A spokesperson for the show said: ‘Obviously this sort of event is scary for all involved, we are all wishing a speedy recovery for our fellow cast member. We would like the pass on our thanks to the audience in attendance who were very understanding and remained calm.’
The show was stopped immediately after the fall, with privacy screens put up as two doctors from the audience came to help.
The rest of the performace was later cancelled.
Circus ringmaster Jack Jay said: ‘He was fully conscious after the fall and two members of the audience, believed to be an off-duty police officer and a paramedic, came forward to help.’
Explaining how he might have fallen, Mr Jay said: ‘It looked like miss-timing. He went to jump through one of the wheels and slipped, landing on the floor.’
Health and safety officials were notified and are expected to investigate the incident and the equipment, Mr Jay added.
The acrobat’s brother, who is also his act partner, accompanied him to James Paget University Hospital along with circus staff.
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