This is probably not something the children or parents attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Rhode Island today. When performing a high wire stunt, the wire snapped and the performers plummeted to the ground. TMZ reports:
The performers were about to begin an aerial stunt in front of a packed house … when the wire snapped, and several people fell about 30 feet. 11 people were transported to the hospital — 9 were Ringling Bros. employees — and according to reports, one person is in critical condition. Moments after the crash, emergency responders raced to help the injured — and the lights were dimmed to keep the children in the audience from seeing the terrifying scene.
According to a rep from the circus, they believe the stunt failed due to a problem with an apparatus that holds performers by the hair.
Laughs for all when The World-Famous Clown Alley is in town to unveil the Vintage Circus Posters Forever® Stamps! pic.twitter.com/jQJT4XgCEw
— Ringling Bros. (@RinglingBros) May 4, 2014