Popular circus is forced to close after performers were injured in two devastating high-flying accidents in less than a week
- Circus Rio has been given prohibition orders by Safework SA after injuries
- Bentang Sejarah mistimed leap on motorbike and hit his head during a circus act
- Mr Sejarah was knocked unconscious before he was stabilised by paramedics
- Aerial hoop performer Gabrielle Souza plunged ten metres to the ground
A popular circus has been shut down following two devastating high-flying act accidents in less than a week – leaving performers seriously injured.
Safework SA has given Circus Rio multiple prohibition orders which prevent the circus from operating until they are resolved.
Trapeze artist, Gabrielle Souza, last week fell nearly 10 metres to the ground – breaking her wrist and dislocating both elbows.
Just days later, a motorbike stunt went drastically wrong, leaving rider Bentang Sejarah in hospital after breaking his back in three places, cracking his rib and suffering a collapsed lung.
Mr Sejarah’s accident comes just four days after Brazilian aerial hoop performer Gabrielle Souza plunged ten metres to the ground
Motorbike rider Bentang Sejarah in hospital after breaking his back in three places, cracking his rib and suffering a collapsed lung after a stunt
Safework SA has given Circus Rio multiple prohibition orders which prevent the circus from operating until they are resolved
Ms Souza was rushed ‘very urgently’ to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition and required urgent surgery
The circus is currently on a tour stop in the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg.
The City of Holdfast Bay in conjunction with Safework SA issued the circus nine prohibition orders requiring them to correct non-compliance issues, according to 7 News.
Video footage of the motorbike stunt incident showed Mr Sejarah soar through the air on the bike before colliding with a metal pole covered in red material.
Audience members were then asked to leave the circus tent.
Mr Sejarah was knocked unconscious before he was stabilised by paramedics who rushed him to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
He tweeted this week from his hospital bed that his helmet had saved his life.
‘Aussie FMX Rider subcontracted to Circus Rio, Bentang Sejarah is being treated in hospital for minor injuries after an incident at today’s 11am show,’ the circus shared on their Facebook page on the day of the incident.
‘While this accident was very unfortunate, it is assured all safety measures were in place to ensure that our performers are not severely harmed.
Mr Sejarah was knocked unconscious before he was stabilised by paramedics who rushed him to the Royal Adelaide Hospital
This is the second serious injury to happen in four days at the Circus Rio, however the show will continue until July 27
‘Ben is in good hands at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and will continue to be cared for by Circus Rio’s staff upon his release.
‘All shows today and until July 27 will be continuing as scheduled. Thank you for all of the support the community has shown for us.’
Mr Sejarah’s accident happened just four days after Brazilian aerial hoop performer Gabrielle Souza plunged nearly ten metres to the ground.
Vision captured by an audience member showed the experienced performer using just her neck to hold onto a ring before the stunt takes a frightening turn.
Members of the audience were heard screaming in horror as Ms Souza fell and landed on the wooden floor with a sickening thud.
‘That was real, wasn’t it?’ one spectator asks.
‘Oh s***, that’s real,’ another replied.
Ms Souza was rushed ‘very urgently’ to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a critical condition and required urgent surgery.
Despite a broken wrist and dislocated elbows she has been cleared of serious injury.
An update on her condition thanked the public for her support and revealed ‘she will be back on the lyra as soon as she makes a full recovery’.