A circus acrobat has been hospitalised after falling from a huge height during a performance at the Great Yarmouth Hippodrome.
The performer fell whilst riding the “Giant Wheel of Death”, an aerial spinning wheel, yesterday evening.
The acrobat, who is in his 20s, fell at least 10 metres, as he collided with metal scaffolding then hit the ground.
Norfolk Police who attended the scene said he “sustained serious, potentially life-changing injuries” but was in a stable-condition.
The stunt being performed earlier in the week
Hippodrome Circus
Those in attendance said the Christmas Spectacular show had to be cancelled, as medics tended to the acrobat.
The Hippodrome issued a statement on the incident: “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.”
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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.”
A witness, who was in attendance with her children, said she initially thought the fall was intentional.
Sitting in the front row, she was recording the performance when the horrific fall occurred.
“I was recording it as it [the performance] was so brilliant,” she told the BBC.
“He slipped or tripped and fell to the ground and to begin with I thought it was part of the act, so continued recording.
Those in attendance said the Christmas Spectacular show had to be cancelled, as medics tended to the acrobat.
Hippodrome Circus
“They often miss on purpose to get the audience sort of riled up and on the edge of their seats, but then we realised something was wrong.”
As he was being seen to by medics, she said that the circus ringmaster, Jack Jay, reassured the crowds that he was still conscious.
Jay said to the BBC: “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, the ringmaster said: “It looked like mistiming. He went to jump through one of the wheels and slipped, landing on the floor.”
The acrobat was performing alongside his brother who accompanied him to the James Paget Hospital.
An investigation by health and safety officials is expected to be conducted, Jay said.
