A traveling circus was forced to call off several performances after a teenage artist fell over 15 feet due to a failure of his aerial equipment that detached from the ceiling during his act.
Circus Smirkus, a youth-oriented traveling circus, was in the middle of a show in Massachusetts when 18-year-old Johnathan Richard fell nearly 17 feet while performing a silk act, as covered by The Newport Daily Express.
The silk performance features an aerial artist contorting while suspended from the ceiling on fabric.
The show was immediately halted as Richard was rushed to the hospital with a suspected spinal injury.
Two performers – one identified as Amy Haderer and the other simply as Lyric – claimed the injured teen is ‘lucky to be alive.’
Circus Smirkus released a statement announcing the cancellation of upcoming performances in New Hampshire and Vermont.
“It is with deep regret we announce a rigging incident that occurred during a recent Big Top Tour performance,” stated the announcement.
‘The trouper involved is a beloved member of the Smirkus family. Their spirit, generosity, and dedication in and out of the ring shines,’ it added.
Circus Smirkus, during a performance on July 22 in Massachusetts, experienced an incident where an 18-year-old aerialist (seen in the photo after the accident) unexpectedly dropped nearly 17 feet during a silk performance.
While Circus Smirkus representatives have not yet provided specific details about the fall or the severity of the performer’s injuries, a review is allegedly in progress to understand these issues (depicted: Johnathan during a performance on the right).
Two fellow performers posted images of the 18-year-old artist
Executive and Artistic Director Rachel Schiffer stated that the teen is ‘expected to recover.’
Just before 8pm Circus Smirkus was performing their second show at the Cracker Barrel Fairgrounds in Wrentham, Massachusetts.
Authorities were called to respond to an aerialist who had fallen during a silk performance, according to the Daily Express.
Before emergency services arrived, authorities said that a nurse attending the show administered immediate aid.
The nurse applied traction to stabilize the performer’s neck and spine.
‘When officers arrived on the scene, the victim was alert, conscious and able to speak,’ Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath told the outlet.
The teen was then rushed to a trauma hospital in Rhode Island for treatment.
Circus Smirkus officials have yet to release detailed information about the cause of the fall or the extent of the performer’s injuries.
An internal review is reportedly underway to determine these details, the Daily Express reported.
The girls claimed that during the July 22 show, a rigger employed by the circus used the wrong equipment
Subsequent to the incident, Circus Smirkus (pictured) issued a statement on their website indicating the cancellation of upcoming shows in New Hampshire and Vermont.
For now, the traveling circus hopes to conclude its 38th summer season at its headquarters in Greensboro, Vermont, on August 17.
‘Thank you for being part of the Smirkus community – we’re grateful for your support, patience, and understanding,’ the circus said on its website.
Circus Smirkus holds a unique place as the only traveling youth circus performing under a Big Top across the United States.
With a troupe of 18 talented young performers aged 10 to 18 – supported by a dedicated team of 30 to 40 adults – the circus embarks on an ambitious journey lasting over seven weeks.
On tour, they traverse New England in a fleet of over 20 buses, captivating audiences with nearly 65 high-energy performances.
