Ringling Performers Injured

The incident, which was caught on video by an audience member and posted to YouTube, shows women hanging from a round canopy-like frame by their hair being lifted toward the ceiling of the arena before the device crashes to the floor.

In a statement, Feld Entertainment, parent company of the circus, said “all performers in the act received immediate medical attention and were transported to a local hospital for further care. … An investigation has begun into the cause of the accident, and no further details are available at this time.”

Police told the local Providence Journal during a news conference that the women were in critical condition at a local hospital, but had suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Roman Garcia, GM of the tour, added during the news conference, “everybody’s conscious. Everybody’s doing well. We ask everybody to pray for the girls,” the paper reported.

Remaining performances of the show were canceled for May 4, as well as performances for May 5.