Parents and children watched on in horror as an acrobat plummeted to the ground when a rope snapped during a high-wire act at Butlin's Bognor Regis resort. The performer was part of the group Electric City, which promises a high-thrills show with 'gravity-defying stunts.'
Eyewitness Accounts
Leanne Charles, visiting the resort with her husband, parents, and two young children, witnessed the incident. 'The aerial acrobat was about a minute into her act and had spun around. The pole separated, and she fell, probably about 10 feet to the floor, with the pole still in her hand,' she said. 'She landed on her shoulder on her side. She stayed on the floor and didn't move. There was a gasp throughout the whole audience. We all knew something serious had happened.'
Holidaymakers had gathered in their hundreds to watch the family show at 7pm on Sunday evening as part of the resort's bank holiday entertainment. The acrobat remained conscious as a stagehand went to check on her, but the curtains didn't shut for about 30 seconds.
Another holidaymaker, who asked not to be named, said the incident had left her extremely upset and concerned for the acrobat. 'It was really worrying,' she said. 'The rope just seemed to snap.'
About Electric City
Electric City is a travelling performance group who appear at Butlin's resorts regularly. The venue where the incident took place, Studio 36, seats up to 1,600 people and welcomes children of all ages to many of its performances.
Aftermath and Response
Emergency services were called to the scene, and the acrobat was taken to the hospital with suspected neck and shoulder injuries. A Butlin's spokesperson said: 'Following an incident last night, a cast member was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, but we can confirm they are back home recovering. The second show went ahead later that evening.'
