A Cirque du Soleil performer is dead after falling during a show in Tampa, Florida.
The Tampa Bay Times reports aerialist Yann Arnaud died of injuries suffered Saturday night when he lost his grip on an aerial ring and fell some 20 feet to the stage. The accident occurred during the company’s “VOLTA” show, which immediately stopped so Arnaud could receive medical attention.
According to CNN, Arnaud died shortly afterwards at a nearby hospital.
“The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy,” said Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, said in a statement. “Yann had been with us for over 15 years and was loved by all who had the chance to know him.”
The entertainment company said they would give “full and transparent collaboration to authorities” investigating the incident.
According to the Times, Arnaud fell during a complex routine with another acrobat as they swung back and forth over the stage. Each was holding onto a gymnastics ring suspended by a rope as they moved from opposite sides of the arena to the center, where Arnaud lost his grip and plunged to his death.
Two performances scheduled Sunday in Tampa were canceled.
One audience member told WFLA that “it was awful” to witness Arnaud’s fatal fall.
“You heard all the cries of the audience. There were children there and they were freaking out,” Julien Martinez said. “It kinds of colors our opinions of what is going on behind the scenes… What is the cost of our entertainment at that point?”
According to Facebook, Arnaud, 38, was a French native who lived in Miami. He reportedly leaves behind a wife and daughter.
Cirque du Soleil performer Yann Arnaud has died after falling during a performance in Tampa, Florida. The company says it’s cooperating with authorities as they investigate the incident. https://t.co/3604Xlpnhwpic.twitter.com/froR23OBCE
— CNN (@CNN) March 19, 2018
CNN reports a Cirque du Soleil acrobat also died in 2013 after suffering a fall during a show in Las Vegas. The Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Cirque and the casino for violations; Cirque reportedly settled with OSHA and paid a penalty.
Rest in peace, #YannArnaud. Arnaud was a Cirque du Soleil performer who passed away today after an accident during a performance of the show, ‘Volta’, in Tampa, FL. He was married and had two daughters. In his free time, he enjoyed travelling and seeing new sights. pic.twitter.com/CksbiAMkxC
— Grace Moon (@gracemoonnyu) March 18, 2018
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