Everett, Wash.
Published: Friday, September 5, 2008

Acrobat injured during circus' opening night in Everett

By Kaitlin Manry
Herald Writer

 While kids and parents watched the grand finale of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus Thursday night, a Chinese acrobat was injured after taking a dramatic fall inside the Comcast Arena in Everett.

He fell up to 20 feet while flipping through the air from one swaying pole to another, said circus spokesman Andy Perez. He was supposed to latch onto a pole suspended from above with his feet.

He escaped with just a broken wrist, Perez said. He was carried away from the performance on a stretcher and was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. The performance continued after the incident.

He is expected to be released today, Perez said.

“These guys train for months and months and years and years to make sure they can make it every time and lessen the odds of actually getting hurt,” he said. “Once in a while the odds are against them, but that’s the risk that daredevils and acrobats take and kind of some of the wonder of the circus.”

The man was a member of the 22-member Henan Troupe from the Henan Providence in China. The performers are between 16 and 23 years old. The circus is not releasing the man’s name or age.

The fall happened around 9:40 p.m.

Thursday was the opening night of the show. It is scheduled to continue through Sunday.

“The show goes on,” Perez said.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA