A circus acrobat has fallen to her death in front of horrified families in Bautzen, east Germany. Marina B, a Spanish trapeze artist, died after plummeting to the ground during a solo performance at the Paul Busch Circus. More than 80 people, including children, watched in horror as the woman fell.
Screams were heard as police and emergency services rushed to the scene. A note posted on the ticket booth on Sunday read: 'Due to a bereavement, the circus will be closed.' Parents covered their children's eyes inside the tent following the accident. Marina B died on the spot, police announced.
Marina B, originally from Mallorca, had travelled the world with the circus. She was proud of her profession, and her final Instagram post showed her in full flight with the caption: 'Up here, I work best.' She had previously said: 'For me, every show is an opportunity to share my passion for what I do.'
Police spokesman Stefan Heiduck said trained crisis intervention experts were on hand to support those affected. Mayor Karten Vogt expressed his distress, saying: 'The accident has deeply affected us. On behalf of the city, I express my sincere condolences to the relatives and bereaved.'
Ralf Huppertz, head of Germany's circus association, told Bild: 'It's unusual for a well-trained artist like Marina to not survive a fall from just five meters. Perhaps she got dizzy on the trapeze.' The Paul Busch Circus has yet to release a statement.
