Cirque du Soleil Performer Dies After Fall During Show in Florida

Cirque du Soleil cancels remaining shows in Tampa after one of their performers, Yann Arnaud, fell to his death during a show on Saturday.

This is a picture of the circus.
Getty

Photo by Robert Marquardt/Getty Images

This is a picture of the circus.

Cirque du Soleil performer Yann Arnaud died after falling while attempting an aerial straps number during their VOLTA show in Tampa on Saturday. Arnaud was rushed to a nearby hospital after the fall where he was pronounced dead. He was 38.

“The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy. Yann has been with us for over 15 years and was loved by all who had a chance to know him,” Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of the Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group said in a statement. “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.”

Lamarre, who flew to Tampa to be the side of his cast, informedReuters that it’s the third death in the company’s 34-year history. Two years ago, technician Olivier Rochette was struck and killed by a lift while preparing the set for a performance of the show Luzia in San Francisco. The two remaining VOLTA shows in Tampa on Sunday were canceled.

Arnaud is survived by his wife and two children.

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