Two Cirque du Soleil acrobats collided before colliding to the ground Friday night during a performance of the show Echo in Montreal, forcing the interruption of the performance.
In a video that La Presse was able to consult, without however obtaining a copy, we see the two men – from the Ethiopian troop, according to spectators encountered – attempting an aerobatics. While in full flight, however, they come into contact with each other before collapsing heavily to the ground.
“We had no information on their state of health [des acrobates], said Hélène Julien, who attended the show. But one of the artists was not moving, then the other was immobilized when he wanted to get up. The intervention of the rescuers was very fast, according to the people interviewed on the Jacques-Cartier wharf in the Old Port of Montreal, at the exit of the Grand Chapiteau marquee.
“They were taken care of immediately, that was number one,” one onlooker said. “The medical team came out very quickly. You see it’s well-honed,” another noted.
As paramedics tended to injured performers, onlookers were told to stay in their seats. One person in the audience, however, passed out, presumably the victim of vagal shock, according to a man who attended the show, but who preferred not to be named.
The performers eventually walked out with the medical team on backboards. Shortly after, an intermission was announced. Less than half an hour later, audiences were informed that due to a situation “out of its control”, Cirque du Soleil was canceling the remaining portion of the performance. “We were told the show couldn’t go on,” confirms Robert Pitre.
When they left, the spectators were given a notice of show cancellation, of which La Presse obtained a copy. “We ask that you accept our most sincere apologies,” reads the notice, which also outlines the various options for ticket holders to receive refunds.
A Cirque du Soleil employee interviewed by La Presse said that the artists had been taken care of by doctors, without however being able to comment on their state of health.