A Cirque du Soleil performer has died after tragically falling during a show in Tampa, Florida on Saturday night.
The performer, 38-year-old Yann Arnaud, was performing an aerial straps number when he fell 30 feet, landing on his neck and back. Arnaud was taken to hospital straight after the incident where he died.
The star was a member of Cirque du Soleil for 15 years and was seen as one of the companies most talented and accredited performers.
The entertainment group’s president, Daniel Lamarre, said the following in a statement: “The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy.”
The company then followed by posting this statement to Twitter…
— Cirque du Soleil (@Cirque) March 18, 2018
Julian Martinez, who witnessed the accident, told local TV station WFLA: “It was awful. You heard all the cries of the audience. There were children there and they were freaking out.”
The last two shows scheduled for Tampa, Florida have been cancelled and the incident is currently being investigated.
Our thoughts are prayers are with Cirque du Soleil and Mr Arnaud’s family and friends.
