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. 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. 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. Lamarre said he could not share further details about the incident involving Arnaud, a husband and father of two young children.

Source: The Irish Times March 19, 2018 10:52 UTC