More than 80 punters watched in horror as Marina B, a 27-year-old circus performer, plunged to her death while performing the iconic trapeze stunt at Paul Busch Circus in Bautzen, east Germany
Horrified parents covered the eyes of their children as a circus acrobat plummeted to her death.
Marina B was just 27 years old when she died performing the trapeze stunt at the Paul Busch Circus in Bautzen, east Germany on Saturday in front of more than 80 stunned ticket holders.
Screams could be heard as parents sought to comfort their children during the Spanish acrobat’s solo performance, Bild reports. Police and paramedics rushed to help her but she couldn’t be saved and died on the spot.
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Ralf Huppertz, the chairman of the Association of German Circus Companies, said: “Especially for the visitors and the children, this is a terrible experience, a shock.”
He added: “It’s unusual for a well-trained artist like Marina to not survive a fall from just five meters. Perhaps she got dizzy on the trapeze.”
“Trained experts from the crisis intervention are on hand to suppose those who needed it. The team was immediately deployed and cared for the guests and other circus employees,” said police spokesman Stefan Heiduck.
It’s been reported the Spanish performer was not wearing a safety rope at the time of the accident. Mr Huppertz explained that as self-employed artists, Marina B was the only person responsible for her own safety.
“The acrobats take risks that they themselves calculate and assess. But they are also aware of this,” he said.
A note posted on the ticket booth at the circus on Sunday read: “Due to a bereavement, the circus will be closed.”
Marina B, who was from Mallorca and travelled around the world with the circus, was proud of her profession, and her tragic final Instagram post was an image of herself in full flight. She captioned the post: “Up here, I work best.”
She said previously: “For me, every show is an opportunity to share my passion for what I do. I believe that art has the power to create unforgettable moments.” Paul Busch Circus is yet to release a statement following the tragedy.
Mayor Karten Vogt expressed his distress at the incident and told MDR: “The accident has deeply affected us. On behalf of the city, I express my sincere condolences to the relatives and bereaved. Our thoughts are with the families and all those affected by this terrible accident.”