Cirque du Soleil artist recovers from tire fall during Oregon show

(PORTLAND, Oregon) – An aerialist is recovering from her fall during a Cirque du Soleil show in Oregon, production said.

The dramatic incident, which was captured on video, occurred on Saturday during a performance of the show “KOOZA” at the Portland Exposition Center in Portland.

The performer was seen hanging from a hoop suspended from the ceiling, spinning in circles before falling mid-performance. The audience could be heard gasping as she fell to the floor.

The artist is “recovering and being cared for by our medical and training team,” KOOZA said in a statement on Facebook on Monday, adding that they “appreciate your concern and well wishes for our aerial wrestling artist.”

“Safety is our utmost concern and we will take care of them until they are able to return to the show,” the statement continued. “We hope you enjoyed the rest of KOOZA.”

The name of the performer was not revealed by the show.

Brian Goldstein, who was sitting near the front of the audience with his two children during Saturday's performance, told ABC News the fall happened within half an hour of the show starting.

“It's very surprising and shocking to see something like this,” he said. “My daughter was very scared.”

His son Benjamin captured the fall on video. Benjamin told ABC News he thought it was part of the show, “but then when the actors looked surprised, I thought, 'Oh no, that's not part of the show at all.'”

Brian Goldstein said they were impressed with how the team responded to the incident and how the actress “kept her composure.”

“She gave a thumbs up as she was carried off the stage, which was a great sign,” he said.

Brian Goldstein said that after about a twenty-minute break in the performance, a person involved in the show addressed the audience and said that the artists were ready to continue, after which they completed the show.

“I have to give a huge compliment to these actors – to carry on after something like that and finish the show must be difficult,” he said. “They did a phenomenal job.”

Addressing the aerialist, he said: “We hope she knows that all her fans are looking forward to her speedy recovery.”

According to the description on the Cirque du Soleil website, “KOOZA” “combines acrobatic performance and the art of the clown, exploring fear, identity, recognition and power.”

The show is scheduled to run through October 6 at the Portland Expo Center.

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