Horror as Blackpool Tower circus performer plunges from ‘Wheel of Death’: Stuntman left ‘writhing on the floor in pain’ after trick goes wrong – as it dawned on shocked families it wasn’t part of the act
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Hundreds of spectators watched in shock as a circus performer jumped from the ‘Wheel of Death’ at Blackpool Tower.
The crowd was evacuated on Saturday, after which emergency services arrived on the scene.
One of the two performers fell from the apparatus while performing the dangerous stunt involving a rotating beam.
A spokesperson for Blackpool Tower told MailOnline that the performer was ‘recovering well’ after being treated for a ‘minor injury to his wrist’ during the rehearsed manoeuvre.
All 700 spectators were escorted from the building immediately after the incident and received free tickets to a future performance.
A review of the law will take place as standard safety procedures, Blackpool Tower confirmed.
A Blackpool Tower spectator said the performer at the top of the Wheel of Death fell to the ground during a performance yesterday
An aerial view of Blackpool Tower and the promenade at night on April 17, 2024
One spectator, Bazza Cooke, wrote of ‘X’: ‘The man landed right in front of us and came down with a big bump.
‘He didn’t seem seriously ill, but who knows. He was in severe pain. I hope he recovers quickly.’
A spokesperson for Blackpool Tower said: ‘Our medical team responded quickly using our established emergency procedures and supported the artist until emergency services arrived.
“We are pleased to confirm that the artist is recovering well and is being treated for a minor wrist injury.
“The safety and well-being of our artists is of the utmost importance.”
The ‘Wheel of Death’ has become an established part of the circus world. Performers perform balancing tricks on the apparatus and run around on either side to make it spin.
The act fell out of favor for a while after a series of fatal accidents, until it was reintroduced in the 1970s under the name ‘Wheel of Death’.
In 1994, circus performer Neville Campbell suffered a fatal slip during a performance at Blackpool Tower in front of 400 spectators. The 20-year-old fell to the ground during the aerial act and landed on his head.
The North West Ambulance Service was contacted on Saturday for comment on the incident.