Skip to content

Cirque du Soleil aerialist dies after fall during Florida show

Longtime performer fell while performing in VOLTA
11062445_web1_180318-BPD-M-swiss-rings
Artists perform on swiss rings during Cirque du Soleil VOLTA. (Cirque du Soleil photos)

A longtime performer with Cirque du Soleil died after a fall during a Tampa show on Saturday night.

In a statement, Cirque du Soleil said that longtime aerialist Yann Arnaud fell onto the stage while performing an aerial straps number during a VOLTA show.

Arnaud was taken to a local hospital where he later died of his injuries.

“The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy,” said president and CEO Daniel Lamarre.

“Yann had been with us for over 15 years and was loved by all who had the chance to know him. Over the coming days and weeks, our focus will be on supporting Yann’s family and our employees, especially the Volta team, as we go through these difficult times together.”

The company has cancelled its last two VOLTA shows, which were scheduled for Sunday.


@katslepian

katya.slepian@bpdigital.ca

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.