Draft:List of fatal circus accidents

This list of circus accidents includes deaths and injuries that resulted from circus acts. They may have occurred live or during practice. It includes damage to personnel, animals, and the venue.

1800s

Massarti the Lion-Tamer

Thomas Macarte, also known as Massarti the Lion-Tamer was attacked and killed by lions during a performance in Bolton, England. He had lost an arm to his profession the decade prior. Already nervous about performing he gave his final performance on January 3, 1872. When trying to drive the five lions from one end of the ring to the other, they attacked him. Despite others attempting to intervene continued to tear into him. He died on the way to the hospital, age 34.

St. Louis Trapeze Accident

In 1872, well-known trapeze artists Fred Lazelle and Billy Millson fell to the ground after their trapeze mechanism failed. Millson likely broke his ribs. George North was beneath the trapeze when it collapsed on him, causing internal injuries. None of the three men performed again.

1900s

Great “Wallace Brothers” Circus Train Disaster

On August 8, 1903, one train of the Wallace Brothers was idle in the yard of Grand Trunk Railway in Durand, Michigan a second train drove into it. The air brakes failed, causing the train's front to crash into the rear of the first at 15 miles per hour. 23 people were killed and dozens were injured. Several animals died as well.

Otto Kline

During a Barnum & Bailey show, on April 21, 1915, champion trick rider Otto Kine died in front of five thousand people in Madison Square Garden. He lost his grip on his horse's saddle and struck his skull against a box, fracturing it. He was attempting his famous leaping act, vaulting over the horse and back again while it ran at top speed.

Red Eldridge and Mary the Elephant

During the Sparks World Famous Show, Walter "Red" Eldridge was tasked with riding an elephant, Big Mary, to a pond where she could drink. When Mary reached to get a watermelon rind, Eldridge smacked her with a hooked whip. In reaction, Mary curled her trunk around Eldridge's body, slammed him to the ground, and trampled the body. After the incident occurred on September 12, 1916, the town of Kingsport, Tennessee publicly hung the elephant by a crane.

Hammond Circus Train Wreck

On June 22, 1918, the famous Hagenbeck-Wallace team suffered a horrific train accident while traveling to a show in Hammond, Indiana. The second of the team's trains pulled off to the side to fix an engineering issue and left five cars, including four that were wooden sleepers, on the main track. An empty train used to transport soldiers cam barreling down the main track. It crashed into the five cars and ignited a quickly-spreading fire. 86 people died and over 100 were injured.

Cleveland Circus Fire

The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus came to Cleveland, Ohio and disaster struck. A fire of unclear origins began in the tent where the animals were housed. Over 60 animals were killed or badly burned.

Hartford Circus Fire

Known as one of the worst disaster's in the history of Hartford Connecticut, the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus had another fire on July 6, 1944. While it's unclear exactly what happened, it's likely that someone tossed a cigarette near the tent canvas which immediately caught fire. Unable to get the fire under control and animal cages blocking the exits, the thousands of attendees panicked and stampeded. In the end, several staff members were convicted for negligence, many survivors suffered physical and mental trauma, and 167 people died.

Flying Wallendas

A long-running family circus act, the Great Flying Wallendas continue to impress stages around the world. During a performance in Detroit, Michigan on Jan. 30, 1962, two of the seven Wallendas performing a pyramid formation on a high wire fell to their deaths. The others survived by hanging onto a wire, but suffered injuries.

Oscar Garcia

On June 11, 1989, Oscar Garcia was performing on a revolving wheel when he lost his balance. In front of 35,000 people at Busch Stadium, he fell 25 feet to the ground, dislocated his left wrist, and broke his right elbow.

2000s

Eva Garcia

During a performance at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom, aerial performer Eva Garcia lost her grip and fell. Despite her decades of experience, she plunged 30ft to the ground after starting her act, dying at the age of 38 on August 8, 2003.

Dessi España

In St. Paul, Minnesota, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performer Dessi España fell 30ft to her death. Twirling on aerial silks, a scarf loosened and the 32-year-old fell onto the concrete floor. The show, which took placeo on May 22, 2004, continued despite her accident.

Sarah Guyard-Guillot

During a Las Vegas performance of Cirque du Soleil's "Ka", 31-year-old Sarah Guyard-Guillot died. She was hoiseted up too quickly, causing the safety wire to detach. The company's investigation found that this was due to insufficient training on the equipment. On the night of June 29, 2013, Guyard-Guillot fell 94ft, head first, to her death.

Providence Hair Hangers

During an act where performers hang by their hair in a formation like a "human chandelier". The metal frame from which there were hanging detached and the performers fell 25 to 40 feet. They fell onto at least one performer below, causing eleven people in total to be rushed to the hospital. All survived. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation into the incident. They found the carabiner was in fine condition, but failed due to overloading.