Circus acrobat in his 20s who fell 30ft off ‘Wheel of Death’ at Christmas Spectacular broke his shoulder, arm and leg… but is making ‘good recovery’, ringmaster reveals

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A circus acrobat who fell more than 30ft off a ‘Wheel of Death’ during a Christmas show broke his shoulder, arm and leg, according to reports, but is said to be making ‘a good recovery’.

Video footage showed members of the audience at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth gasping in horror after the performer fell from the apparatus on Wednesday evening. 

The man was performing the daring highwire act alongside his brother when he plunged to the ground. One witness described seeing him collide with metal scaffolding and smashing into the floor.

Ringmaster Jack Jay said the man, who is in his 20s, was conscious after the dramatic fall and broke multiple bones, but could have sustained even more serious injuries.

Mr Jay, who is also circus manager, told the BBC: ‘It looked like mis-timing. He went to jump through one of the wheels and slipped, landing on the floor.’ He added that health and safety officials are investigating.

The acrobat was rushed to hospital after falling ‘more than 30ft’ from a ‘giant wheel of death’ on Wednesday evening

The man is believed to have suffered from broken bones after the fall (pictured above) 

‘Maybe [it was] a very unfortunate momentary lapse, maybe a slight adjustment to the timing and a very serious outcome,’ Mr Jay said

‘But we’re thrilled the news coming out is positive, given what happened, that he’s in a good recovery state.’

The fall saw the man plummet around 33ft the Daily Record reports.

Police earlier said that the performer had been rushed to hospital with potentially ‘life-changing injuries’ following the incident. 

The acrobat, who is said to be from Columbia, fell during the 6.30pm performance of the circus’ Christmas Spectacular show. 

Hippodrome Circus said the show was stopped immediately and the police and ambulance service were called. 

The acrobat’s partner in the act, his brother, accompanied him to hospital along with circus staff.

In a statement, the circus said: ‘During the 6.30pm performance of The Christmas Spectacular last night one of our stunt performers fell from the large performance wheel.

‘The performer remained conscious, but it was clear he had sustained some injuries.

‘So the decision was made for the show to be stopped for the evening and the public exited.

The acrobat’s partner in the act was his brother, who accompanied him to hospital along with circus staff

‘The artiste in question received immediate medical attention, paramedics then moved him to a medical facility for further evaluation.

‘We are under the impression that he is in a stable condition and has been evaluated overnight.’

A Norfolk Police spokeswoman said officers were called at around 7.37pm on Wednesday night and are working to establish what led to the fall.

One witness said the acrobat collided with metal scaffolding and smashed into the ground after falling 

Jack Jay, Hippodrome Circus’ ringmaster, said health and safety officials were notified of the fall

She said: ‘The man sustained serious, potentially life-changing injuries, and was taken by ambulance to the James Paget Hospital, and later transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

‘A seal was put in place at the scene overnight, but this has since been lifted.

‘Officers are working with the local authorities to establish the circumstances that led to the incident.’

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: ‘One ambulance, one rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer vehicle and East Anglian Air Ambulance were called to St George’s Road, Great Yarmouth last night (Wednesday) following reports of a man injured in a fall.

‘One patient was transported to James Paget Hospital (in Gorleston) with serious injuries.’

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