An acrobat died after she fell about 5 metres from a trapeze during a circus performance in the German town of Bautzen on Saturday night, police said.
The performer was pronounced dead at the scene after she fell in front of nearly 100 spectators, including many families with children, police spokesman Stefan Heiduck said on Sunday.
"The crisis intervention team was immediately deployed and cared for the guests and other circus employees," Heiduck said. He was unable to provide details on the woman’s age or nationality.
Following the fatal fall, audience members left the circus tent and went home.
The police in Bautzen, located east of Dresden, have classified the incident as a workplace accident. There is currently no evidence of third-party negligence, the spokesman said, noting that circus artists are generally responsible for setting up their own equipment.
According to police, the circus held its first performance on Friday and had planned additional shows for the coming days. However, it is now assumed that the circus will dismantle its tent, said police spokesperson Heiduck.
The chairman of the Association of German Circus Companies (VDCU) described the incident as a tragic accident.
"For the visitors and the children, it's a shock and a terrible thing to experience," Ralf Huppertz said. He added that he could not recall a fatal fall involving a female performer but did remember severe injuries.
The profession of circus performers involves certain risks, and 100% safety is not possible for some acts, Huppertz said. "Performers take on risks that they calculate and assess themselves. They are fully aware of this."
Huppertz stated that he was not familiar with the act during which the woman lost her life. "But five metres is not a particularly great height for performers—they are well-trained and muscular. The woman must have been very unlucky or fallen onto some obstacle."
- Acrobat
- Dies
- Falling from trapeze
- Germany
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
