Trapeze stunt tragedy

A circus performer died last night when a trapeze stunt went tragically wrong.

The man, in his 20s, was killed during a performance with his wife at the Russian Circus in Scariff, Co Clare.

It is believed ropes gave way underneath him during his routine and he fell onto cages on the ground.

He was pronounced dead at Ennis General Hospital.

The accident happened in front of a packed audience at the GAA ground shortly after 7.30pm.

It was the first of two performances to be held in the town by the touring circus.

“We were all sitting down and they were doing their act, they were up fairly high they were doing fine,” eyewitness Hazel Harrington told TV3 news.

“Next thing he was down on the ground.”

The Health and Safety Authority is expected to launch a thorough investigation.