TAMPA — Cirque du Soleil mourned the loss of one of its aerial performers in Volta, a big-top production with an extreme sports theme, during a performance March 17 in Tampa.
Yann Arnaud, a 15-year veteran, fell while performing a stunt that had been just added to the show. Local reports said Arnaud’s grip on one of the straps appeared to have slipped before he fell. He was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries.
“Yann had been with us for over 15 years and was loved by all who had the chance to know him,” said Cirque du Soleil president and CEO Daniel Lamarre, in a statement.
“The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy,” Lamarre added. “Over the coming days and weeks, our focus will be on supporting Yann’s family and our employees, especially the Volta team, as we go through these difficult times together.
“We are currently gathering more information about this tragic event. We are offering our full and transparent collaboration to the authorities as they look into the circumstances of the accident,” Lamarre added.
Volta, which premiered April 20, 2017 in Montreal, had been set to run in Tampa from Feb. 14 to March 18. The final two shows on March 18 were canceled.
