PROVIDENCE, RI — A Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus aerial act was disrupted at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center here May 4 as the apparatus for the all-female “hair hang act” failed. About 20 were injured, including eight performers who fell from a 30-foot height. All eight sustained serious injuries. A ninth performer on the ground also sustained serious injury.
The incident happened at about noon, an hour into the production’s 11 a.m. show. Nearly 4,000 spectators were in the arena when the performers suddenly fell. No spectators were injured in the accident. The show was suspended, and the production’s 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. shows were canceled. OSHA and local officials are investigating the cause.
