Footage shows the moment a performer with Cirque du Soleil plummeted to the stage without a safety net to break her fall.
Aerial hoop artist Mariia Konfektova had been performing at the Portland Exposition Center in Oregon on Saturday night (24 August).
Footage shows Mariia on a hoop which was suspended from the ceiling and swinging in a circular motion.
Mariia had been carrying out a number of different moves on the hoop during the show Kooza.
Many Cirque du Soleil performers do shows without a net underneath them to catch them if they fall, including Mariia.
While carrying out a maneuver on the hoop, Mariia can be seen to lose her grip and fall to the stage below in front of the audience.
She could be seen lying face down on the stage, with other performers stopping what they’re doing and appear stunned at the accident.
Benjamin Goldstein had been to watch the show with his dad and sister, and witnessed the accident.
Mariia was rushed to hospital after the fall. (@m_knf/Instagram)
The 10-year-old told KOIN 6 News that at first he hadn’t been sure if the incident was part of the show or an accident.
He said: “At first, I thought it was part of the show, like, it looked like it was purposefully.
“But then we’re, like, people were acting weird. I was like, oh, this isn’t part of the show. Something’s up.”
Benjamin added that it ‘appeared she hit her nose, and there was blood from her nose, but she lifted her head up, but she stayed still’.
He also told ABC News that the performer had quickly been helped by staff with Cirque du Soleil and that she had ‘maintained her composure’.
Benjamin added that she had given a signal to the audience as she left the stage, telling ABC News: “She gave a thumbs up as she was being carried off stage, which was a great sign.”
Footage captured the stomach-churning moment. (Benjamin Goldstein / KOIN)
The team from Kooza has since posted a statement about the accident to their Facebook page.
“We appreciate your concern and well wishes for our aerial hoop artist,” the statement read. “We would like to assure you that the artist is recovering and being cared for by our medical and coaching team.
“Safety is of our utmost concern, and they will be cared for until they can return to the show.”
A statement from Cirque du Soleil said that Mariia had been ‘transported to the hospital for examination’, and that she was ‘conscious, stable, and being cared for by medical specialists and [their] team.’
An Instagram page belonging to Mariia also replied to comments enquiring about her health, saying: “Thank you. I’m gonna be fine!”
