A circus performer was rushed to A&E after a terrifying fall during a gravity-defying hair hanging act.
Footage showed acrobat Aliane Dias crashing to the ground about 20 seconds after being lifted while spinning in mid-air.
Gasps rang out from the audience as she hit the floor with a thud during a show.
Paramedics treated Aliane at the scene before carrying her out on a stretcher.
It happened on Saturday (13 Sept) night, in Miracema, north east of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as reported by Need To Know.
The circus, Circo Robatiny, said in a statement the next day: “The audience watched in shock, but Aliane was quickly rescued and taken to the Municipal Emergency Room, where she received prompt and effective care.
“Thankfully, she is in good condition and already recovering.”
Hair hanging is a jaw-dropping stunt where performers execute acrobatics while suspended solely by their hair.
Preparing for the act involves an intricate braiding process that secures the hair to a metal or wooden ring.
The circus confirmed the fall was due to human error and not equipment failure, adding: “In this act, she is suspended by her hair from a steel cable, and the artist herself is responsible for tying it according to protocol.
“In this case, she admitted the tying was done differently from usual, which caused it to come undone and led to the accident.
“The reason is still unknown; we are awaiting her return and full recovery to learn more details.”
Despite the scare, the troupe went ahead with its next show the following evening as scheduled.
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