Cirque du Soleil star plunges to death during Florida show

[webfact]

Cirque du Soleil star plunges to death during Florida show

 

(Reuters) - 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 company said on Sunday.

 

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.

 

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 U.S. 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)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-19

[YetAnother]

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

Local media reports said Arnaud appeared to lose his grip on a strap and fell, bringing the show to an immediate halt.

one of the few times i am happy there is Not a video clip; RIP

[Get Real]

If humans was meant to fly, they would be attached to wings.

[BobBKK]

Very sad RiP

[Silurian]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

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.

 

Considering how amazingly scary some of these daring death-defying feats are performed, that only three fatalities over 34 years is a testament to the skill of these Cirque performers. They all know the risks and yet are willing to perform time after time to wow and delight the audience. It is sad any time one of these performers get critically or fatally injured but I doubt that slows any of the others down one bit as they put their hearts and souls into these incredible acts of skill.

 

RIP Yann Arnaud. 

[capasso]

Une pensee attristee d'un Francais pour ce terrible accident ainsi que pour la famille de Arnaud et pour le Cirque du Soleil.Louis de Thailande

[capasso]

A sad thought of a Frenchman for this terrible accident as well as for Arnaud's family and for Cirque du Soleil.Louis de Thailande
 

[capasso]

thanks to Thai Visa for the publication of this accident that occurred at Cirque du Soleil which is a French circus

[Orac]

2 minutes ago, capasso said:

thanks to Thai Visa for the publication of this accident that occurred at Cirque du Soleil which is a French circus

 

It is Canadian.

[farcanell]

2 hours ago, capasso said:

thanks to Thai Visa for the publication of this accident that occurred at Cirque du Soleil which is a French circus

? mmmm.... I hope your not French.

[Jingthing]

I have seen their shows in different venues including their home base in Montreal and this fatal accident underlines that there is a very real element of danger behind the artistic thrills that they always deliver on. Anyway, he had a good run ... break a leg. 

[HooHaa]

7 hours ago, Get Real said:

If humans was meant to fly, they would be attached to wings.

it appears unfortunate that you "was" granted fingers with which to type.

[HooHaa]

2 hours ago, capasso said:

thanks to Thai Visa for the publication of this accident that occurred at Cirque du Soleil which is a French circus

Founded: 7 July 1984, Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada

Headquarters: Montreal, Canada

Founders: Guy Laliberté, Gilles Ste-Croix, Daniel Gauthier, Rachel Vertus

Quebecois perhaps, but canadian nevertheless

[Get Real]

25 minutes ago, HooHaa said:

it appears unfortunate that you "was" granted fingers with which to type.

Yeah, and I get curious over who granted your eyes, so that you even can find the power switch to your computer. Cheers! 

[dunroaming]

4 hours ago, capasso said:

thanks to Thai Visa for the publication of this accident that occurred at Cirque du Soleil which is a French circus

Canadian

[dunroaming]

Been to a few Cirque du Soleil shows over the years and they are always fantastic.  Very sad to hear this news.

[capasso]

3 hours ago, farcanell said:

? mmmm.... I hope your not French.

i'm French what problem?

[capasso]

5 hours ago, Orac said:

 

It is Canadian.

Iann Arnaud French people

[evadgib]

11 hours ago, Get Real said:

If humans was meant to fly, they would be attached to wings.

 

RIP to the deceased.

[farcanell]

1 hour ago, capasso said:

i'm French what problem?

Well.... unlike you, the circ de sol circus is not French.... I would have thought a Frenchman would have known that, at least.

[toofarnorth]

13 hours ago, Get Real said:

If humans was meant to fly, they would be attached to wings.

And if they WAS meant to stay on the ground they would grow roots.

[Get Real]

1 hour ago, toofarnorth said:

And if they WAS meant to stay on the ground they would grow roots.

Does that mean you´re ready for harvest?

[capasso]

18 hours ago, dunroaming said:

Canadian

Quebecois

[capasso]

15 hours ago, farcanell said:

Well.... unlike you, the circ de sol circus is not French.... I would have thought a Frenchman would have known that, at least.

ok the circus of the sun is not French, excuse me, he is Francophone, Quebecois exactly and the acrobat died, Arnaud, was him French

[rosst]

On 19/03/2018 at 9:19 AM, Silurian said:

 

Considering how amazingly scary some of these daring death-defying feats are performed, that only three fatalities over 34 years is a testament to the skill of these Cirque performers. They all know the risks and yet are willing to perform time after time to wow and delight the audience. It is sad any time one of these performers get critically or fatally injured but I doubt that slows any of the others down one bit as they put their hearts and souls into these incredible acts of skill.

 

RIP Yann Arnaud. 

Very well put and as tragic as it is it would be a shame if we were unable to see such a great spectacle. RIP and Condolences to his family and friends.