A circus performer was badly injured after a fall, leading their troupe to cancel several upcoming shows.
In a statement on its website, Circus Smirkus said the performer was hurt during a “rigging incident” in one of its Big Top Tour performances. The group did not share more details about the performer’s condition.
“The trouper involved is a beloved member of the Smirkus family,” the company said. “Their spirit, generosity, and dedication in and out of the ring shines. We are holding their family in our hearts as we root them on towards recovery.”
Because of the accident, Circus Smirkus canceled several shows on its tour. The company said the season will end with two performances on Sunday, Aug. 17, at its headquarters in Greensboro, Vermont.
According to The Newport Daily Express, the performer was an 18-year-old trapeze artist who was injured on July 22 at the Cracker-Barrel Fairground in Wrentham, Massachusetts.
Wrentham Police Chief William McGrath told the paper that officers got a call about a performer who fell 10 to 20 feet while using aerial silks. The performer was suspected of having a spinal cord injury. Police arrived shortly before 8 p.m.
“When officers arrived on the scene, the victim was alert, conscious and able to speak,” McGrath said. A nurse who was at the show gave the performer first aid before they were taken to a trauma hospital in Rhode Island.
Circus Smirkus Executive and Artistic Director Rachel Schiffer told the outlet, “Fortunately, the performer is expected to recover from the injuries sustained in the fall.”
Circus Smirkus and the Wrentham Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
A spokesperson for Circus Smirkus told The Hardwick Gazette that “safety is paramount and a serious component in all of the training and performances.”
According to The Newport Daily Express, professional circus groups must follow strict safety rules to protect performers. But when accidents do happen, the company is expected to investigate and make changes to prevent them in the future.
