On Sunday May 4th, a circus performance at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI went very wrong leaving 11 people injured.

Eight of the acrobats with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus were hanging in the air by each others hair performing the ‘Human Chandelier” when the entire frame collapsed dropping them 40 feet, and landing on dancers below. All of the performers were injured; three are in critical condition. Shows that were suppose to occur later that day had been cancelled until they could figure out what went wrong.

Everyone that was in attendance during the circus was witness to the horrible accident. Most of these people were young children. Viewers thought it was part of the act until they realized the acrobats were not moving. The lights in the Dunkin Donuts Center were shut off as emergency personnel rushed in.

“I have been a cheerleader for many years, and we always fall, but I can’t imagine falling almost 40 feet… that’s just scary” Julia Donovan commented.

After some investigation it has been discovered that carabiner clamp had snapped, which could be the cause of the collapse. The clamps have been used many times before and never caused a problem. The collapse was a very unfortunate accident that hopefully will not happen in the future.

“It’s so weird because it’s so close to home, I’ve been to the Dunkin Donuts Center so many times for concerts and other events, so its weird that something like that happened there” Mackenzie Kucks added.