Heartstopping moment families watch acrobat’s rope snap during high wire act

Holidaymakers at Butlins were shocked after the performer fell during her routine (Picture: Sussex News)

Parents and children looked on in horror as an acrobat plummeted to the ground when a rope snapped during a high-wire act.

Holidaymakers at Butlins were shocked after the performer fell during her routine yesterday evening.

The acrobat was part of the group Electric City, which promises a high-thrills show with ‘gravity-defying stunts.’

Leanne Charles was visiting Butlin’s Bognor Regis with her husband, parents and two young children.

She said: ‘The aerial acrobat was about a minute into her act and had spun around. The pole separated, and she fell, probably about 10 feet to the floor, with the pole still in her hand.

‘She landed on her shoulder on her side. She stayed on the floor and didn’t move. There was a gasp throughout the whole audience. We all knew something serious had happened.’

The show was being held at Studio 36 in Bognor Regis (Picture: Sussex News)

The acrobat remained conscious as a stagehand went to check on her, but the curtains didn’t shut for about 30 seconds.

Another holidaymaker who asked not to be named said the incident had left her extremely upset and concerned for the acrobat.

‘It was really worrying,’ she said. ‘The rope just seemed to snap.’

The group, Electric City, is a travelling performance group who appear at Butlins regularly.

Holiday makers were gathered in their hundreds to watch the family show at 7pm on Sunday evening as part of the Bank Holiday entertainment.

The venue, Studio 36, seats up to 1,600 people according to the Butlins website. There were children of all ages in the audience.

Kate Tiley from Southwater was travelling with her husband and young child and said the way Butlins handled the situation was concerning.

‘They announced after a short while that the show would not be continuing, which of course we understood. They asked us all to leave the venue. I told my son to stay where he was, as I didn’t want to get caught up in the rush of people leaving,’ she said.

‘Shortly after, they announced again that everyone had to leave immediately. It could have created mass hysteria. Someone could have been trampled.’

Emergency services were called to the scene, and the acrobat was taken to the hospital with suspected neck and shoulder injuries.

A Butlin’s spokesperson said: ‘Following an incident last night, a cast member was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, but we can confirm they are back home recovering. The second show went ahead later that evening.’

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