Acrobat in hospital after plunging from circus 'Wheel of Death'

A circus performer is in hospital falling from a 'Wheel of Death' during a show. The performer had been participating in the show at Blackpool Tower Circus on Saturday when the horror incident took place.

The crowd watched on as two performers on the rotating contraption plummeted to the ground at around 5pm. Paramedics rushed to their aid before one was taken to hospital. The circus tent was then evacuated.

The medical condition of the acrobat is not currently known. One man wrote on X: "Serious accident at the Blackpool Tower Circus this afternoon. A circus performer fell several feet from the wheel of death stunt onto the circus floor. Paramedics rushed him to hospital and the circus was evacuated. Praying all is well."

A mum who watched the performance with her kids wished the acrobat a "speedy recovery". A third person wrote online: "In Blackpool Tower with the kids watching the circus when the bloke who was at the top of the wheel of death fell to the ground. Immediately all the audience were escorted out. I hope he is ok."

Another person claiming to have been at the show said on social media that the performer "lost [their] balance and fell", and was seen "rolling around shouting in pain grabbing his shoulder". All people at the show were evacuated "safely and calmly", they added.

The Wheel of Death is a staple of circuses across the country and the world. It involves two or more performers standing on wheels on the end of a long arm that rotates around a central axis.

Back in 1994 the act at Blackpool Tower Circus made headlines when a performer sadly died after plunging from the apparatus. Neville Campbell lost his life at the age of just 20 when he landed on his head during the act. In 2022 another acrobat fell performing the same act, thankfully suffering just minor injuries, the Daily Star reported.

A spokesperson for Blackpool Shows and Attractions told the publication at the time: “The Wheel Of Death is a very common circus act currently being performed at many UK touring circuses and indeed all over the world. It is a calculated risk and thankfully accidents are very rare. That said these fearless performers spend many years training to do these acts and live for the adrenalin and entertainment of the public.

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