The accident happened during the final fight scene performed on a vertical stage during Cirque du Soleil's Ka at the MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas.
Photo Credit: Leila Navidi/Associated Press

Cirque du Soleil faces fine in acrobat’s death

Las Vegas authorities plan to issue a safety citation and fine against the Canadian company Cirque du Soleil after one of its acrobats fell to her death during a live show on June 29th. 31-year-old Sarah Guillot-Guyard was being hoisted up the side of a stage when it appeared to a visitor that she detached from her safety wire and plummeted to an open pit below the stage.

null
Las Vegas’ authorities concluded Cirque du Soleil did not provide proper training for Sarah Guillot-Guyard. The company will appeal. © Courtesy David Fox/Associated Press

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration concluded the acrobat “ascended too quickly which caused the robe to come out of the sheave/pulley,” said Teri Williams, spokeswoman for the Nevada Department of Business and Industry. “The investigation concluded that she ascended too quickly, in part, because she did not receive proper training.” It added the company didn’t property assess the workplace for hazards.

Cirque du Soleil to appeal

Cirque du Soleil will appeal the decision and fine of more than $25,000. Las Vegas Strip casino MGM Grand, where the show took place, will also appeal its three citations totalling $7,000.

Paris-born Guillot-Guyard was the first performer to die in an onstage accident in the company’s 29-year history. The mother of two had been an acrobatic performer for more than 20 years and was the head coach of an acrobatic fitness school for children.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Economy, Health, International
Tags:

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

For reasons beyond our control, and for an undetermined period of time, our comment section is now closed. However, our social networks remain open to your contributions.