Yann Arnaud, who had 15 years experience, appeared to lose his grip on an aerial strap in front of a horrified crowd
An experienced Cirque du Soleil performer has died after plunging onto a stage during an aerial straps routine at a weekend show in Tampa, Florida.
The incident occurred on Saturday night when Yann Arnaud, 38, fell during a performance of the show Volta, according to Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. The French performance artist died of his injuries at a nearby hospital.
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Arnaud had been performing in Cirque shows for 15 years and was considered one of the company’s most experienced entertainers, president and CEO Daniel Lamarre said in a telephone interview.
“We were very surprised, considering his experience, that something like that happened,” said Lamarre, speaking from Tampa, where he had flown to be with the show’s cast. “I cannot describe to you how the people feel. It’s terrible.”
The death is the third fatality involving a Cirque performer in the company’s 34 years, said Lamarre, adding that the aerial strap act is seen as a relatively safe number.
“It was awful. You heard all the cries of the audience. There were children there and they were freaking out,” spectator Julian Martinez, who witnessed the accident, told local TV station WFLA.
Lamarre said he could not share further details about the incident involving Arnaud, a husband and father of two young children.
“We are offering our full and transparent collaboration to the authorities as they look into the circumstances of this accident,” the company said in a statement, adding the last two shows of Volta planned for Tampa on Sunday have been cancelled.
Local media reports said Arnaud appeared to lose his grip on a strap and fell, bringing the show to an immediate halt. Tampa police said the incident is under investigation by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
(Reporting by Letitia Stein in Detroit Additional rpeorting by Jon Herskovitz in Austion, Texas Editing by Daniel Wallis and Sandra Maler)
(CNN) A Cirque du Soleil performer died Saturday night after he fell during a performance in Tampa, Florida.
The Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group said in a statement that Yann Arnaud, an aerialist, was performing during the company's show "VOLTA" when he plummeted to the stage. Arnaud received medical attention and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
"The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy," said Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of the entertainment company, in the statement. "Yann had been with us for over 15 years and was loved by all who had the chance to know him."
The company is prepared to give its "full and transparent collaboration to authorities" as they investigate the incident, the statement added. The last two performances of "VOLTA," set to take place in Tampa on Sunday, were canceled.
Julien Martinez was in the audience Saturday night and told CNN affiliate WFLA that he witnessed the accident. Before Arnaud fell, Martinez noticed the performer "straining to hold onto the rope."
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Yann Arnaud had been an aerialist with Cirque du Soleil for over 15 years
A Cirque du Soleil aerialist has died after falling on to the stage during a show in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Yann Arnaud, 38, was taking part in a performance involving aerial straps on Saturday when he fell.
The French performer died in hospital later. "The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated," a statement said.
The company said it was working with local authorities to investigate what had gone wrong.
It has cancelled two shows scheduled for Tampa on Sunday.
Arnaud had been with the Cirque du Soleil for over 15 years.
He "was loved by all who had the chance to know him", company CEO, Daniel Lamarre said.
This is not the first time a member of the Cirque du Soleil has died in an on-stage incident.
In 2013, a performer died after falling off a stage in Las Vegas.
And the son of a Cirque du Soleil founder died in December 2016 after being accidentally crushed by a telescopic lift.
