A Chinese acrobat has died after falling during a flying-trapeze performance on Saturday, BBC News reports.
In viral footage shared online, the gymnast is seen falling onto a hard stage after her acrobatic partner, who is also her husband, failed to catch her with his legs during a stunt in the city of Suzhou in central Anhui province. After the great fall, she was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where she sadly succumbed to her wounds. She leaves behind two children.
Prior to her death, the couple had been working without safety belts for multiple years. Due to working in a highly competitive industry, the duo began to perform without safety belts or nets in order to earn more money. The incident has now sparked outrage and debates about the profession’s lax safety measures.
The local Culture and Tourism Department claims that the company behind the act had not gained sufficient approval for the performance and that they will be “dealt with accordingly.” As of now, no charges or arrests have been made.
