A dramatic video shows a Cirque du Soleil aerial hoop artist losing her grip mid-performance and falling to the ground without a safety net.
The terrifying incident took place during a performance of “Kooza” at the Portland Exposition Center in Portland, Oregon, on the night of August 24, according to the production team.
Footage shared by KOIN 6 News captures the moment performer Mariia Konfektova was spinning in the air when she suddenly slipped and fell to the ground in front of a shocked audience.
The Russian aerialist is seen lying face down on the stage as fellow performers stand in shock, moments before the video ends.
Mariia Konfektova, 23, like many of her Cirque du Soleil colleagues, performs her stunts without a safety net.
Benjamin Goldstein, 10, who recorded the incident while attending the show with his sister and father, initially believed it was part of the performance.
“At first, I thought it was intentional; it looked that way,” Goldstein told KOIN 6 News. “But then I noticed people acting strangely, and I realized something was wrong.”
He described watching Konfektova fall face-first onto the stage, noting that it appeared she hit her nose and there was blood, but she managed to lift her head and remained still.
Benjamin later told ABC News that the Cirque du Soleil team quickly rushed to her aid, and Konfektova “maintained her composure” throughout the ordeal.
“She gave a thumbs-up as she was being carried off stage, which was a reassuring sign,” he said.
“We appreciate your concern and well wishes for our aerial hoop artist. We want to assure you that she is recovering and receiving care from our medical and coaching team,” read a statement from Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” on Facebook on Monday.
A spokesperson for the traveling show also told KOIN 6 News that after her fall, Konfektova was “transported to the hospital for examination” and was “conscious, stable, and being treated by medical specialists.”
Benjamin noted that the performance paused for about 20 minutes before a representative addressed the audience, informing them that the performers were willing to continue.
“I have to give those performers kudos—continuing on after something like that must be incredibly difficult,” he told ABC News. “They did a phenomenal job.”
Konfektova later responded to a concerned fan on her Instagram account, commenting on an older post, “Thank you. Luckily, I’m okay.”