Circus artist hospitalized after rope fall on metal floor
A circus artist was taken to hospital with serious injuries after falling from a rope.
The woman suffered “serious injuries” while performing a routine as part of a circus performance at Glyne Gap Field in East Sussex, England, on Monday, August 19, the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Seacamb) confirmed to PEOPLE.
In footage of the incident released by CBS News, the artist stood on a chair between two other artists on a rope suspended about 15 feet in the air. She then slowly sat down on the back of the chair and let her legs drop to her sides. As she leaned forward, she appeared to lose her footing and fell to the ground.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Seacamb said they “received a call at 4:45 p.m. on Monday that a person had fallen from a great height.”
“The patient, an adult female, had sustained facial lacerations and other injuries consistent with a fall. She was treated at the scene and taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton with serious injuries, although her condition was not considered life-threatening.”
The injured woman was part of a High Wire Troupe act from Columbia that performed with the Gravity Circus, according to BBC News.
Hayley Welsh, who attended the circus performance and witnessed the fall, told the outlet: “It looked like her leg gave way. She lost her balance and flew down, wrapped around the wire. She slammed into the metal floor.”
Gravity Circus posted an update on the incident in the comments section of its Facebook page, saying the woman is “doing well” and “recovering in the hospital.”
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“We can confirm that an accident occurred involving one of our tightrope walkers during last night’s show,” the company said in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Unfortunately, accidents can happen during live entertainment and high-risk performances, despite strict safety measures. Our emergency protocols were immediately implemented and the artist was immediately taken to the hospital.”
The company added that its “primary concern is the well-being of the artist, the tightrope troupe and our entire circus family” and that a “thorough investigation” is taking place.
“The entire circus is deeply touched by the outpouring of support, love and care shown by our customers and supporters during this difficult time,” the statement continued.