https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4IG_kgdcy8

This just happened yesterday at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus performance in Rhode Island. It is a rare act where the performers are suspended by their hair twisted into tight pony-tails, but that's not the reason it went totally wrong. Inspectors believe that a faulty 5-inch clamp securing the suspended performance apparatus was the primary reason for why it took a tumble, and they believe other clamps may have failed as well. As expected, all 8 of the suspended performers involved in this scene were severely injured, as well as 1 of the dancers on the floor that was not suspended. They say others involved in the scene had minor injuries as well. It has been declared by the circus company that the circus will continue performing/touring, however the Hair Suspension Act has been cut.

Well, when your entire team of performers for that act are laid up in the hospital, you don't really have a choice. I hope that they all heal up well and continue to perform, whether they decide to continue their current act or not.

This accident will also raise more debate over safety measures involved in doing stunts like these in any acrobatic stunt show. Just last year, not too long ago, Cirque du Soleil experienced its first lethal accident during one of their shows when a performer's harness failed and they plummeted several stories to the floor, dying on impact. If there had been a safety net like during a Trapeze Act, the performer would have survived, and probably not have sustained any injuries. Many aerial circus acts rely on the "danger" of the act to keep audiences entertained, but I think that we can still appreciate the talent, skill, strength, beauty, and art of those acts while still keeping the performers safe. Minimizing danger doesn't HAVE to mean minimizing entertainment.