WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: Circus performer Marina B, 27, tragically fell 16ft during a solo trapeze performance and instantly died in front of crowds of children and families
Heartbreaking details are emerging about how an experienced trapeze artist plummeted to her death in front of a large crowd during a live circus performance.
Experienced circus performer Marina B, just 27 years old, was performing a solo high-risk stunt when things suddenly took a devastating turn. During the evening performance at around 5.45pm on Saturday in Bautzen, Germany, Marina horrifically fell from a trapeze swing around five metres high.
The Spanish performer plunged to the ground and tragically died from her injuries. There was a crowd of around 80-100 people, made up of children and families, who were watching the Paul Busch Circus show at the time of the incident.
READ MORE: ‘I survived childhood cancer – I felt gratitude and grief going home’
Shrieks were heard at the family performance, with parents reportedly shielding their children’s eyes inside the tent. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and an investigation into her death has been launched.
A message displayed on the ticket booth at the circus on Sunday stated: “Due to a bereavement, the circus will be closed.” Paul Busch Circus has yet to issue a statement following the tragedy.
Marina B, who hailed from Mallorca and toured globally with the circus, took pride in her career, and her heartbreaking final Instagram post showed an image of herself soaring through the air. She wrote alongside the post: “Up here, I work best.”
She had previously stated: “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.”
It has been confirmed by police thatMarina had not been using a safety rope before she fell, but they stressed that she wasn’t legally required to.
Police spokesman Stefan Heiduck stated: “She doesn’t have to. She decides for herself whether to use safety rope. No one else was in the ring during the accident.”
Tributes have flooded in for the Spanish performer as one fan shared: “Rest in peace Marina, sending big hugs to your family”. A second penned: “We love you very much Marina. Full of memories we have spent together, some good and others that could be improved. But we will be with those who love you the most. Rest in peace. You will always be with me.”
One circus employee told German newspaper Bild: “We can’t believe what’s happened”. Meanwhile, the head of Germany’s circus association Ralf Huppertz, also claimed to the same publication: “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.”
Police spokesman Heiduck said: “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.”
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.”
