According to the lead investigator of the Ringling Bros circus accident in Providence, Rhode Island, a 5-inch D-ring had failed to keep up and snapped, causing nine circus troupe members and two other people to obtain injuries. CNN said a rig designed to hoist circus performers by their hair into the air above an audience for their performance over the weekend fell to the ground, causing confusion and horror to the audience. Fire investigator Paul Doughty told reporters that the investigation is still ongoing as they are still finding out what caused the D-ring, or the caribiner, to snap.
Doughty said that the caribiner was rated for about 10,000 pounds, and the total weight of the rig along with the performers was only 1,500 pounds. CNN said he fell short of saying whether the rigging looked safe. On the other hand, Providence Fire Chief Clarence Cunha said his own crews will not rely on a sole caribiner to keep them safe.
The initial responders to the scene saw performers scattered on the floor, with some suffering from compound fractures with bones protruding from their skin. Others were reportedly in shock from the fall.
Providence police Officer Sean Carroll, who was one of the first responders, told CNN, "One of the girls looked up at me and very calmly but sadly said, 'I can't feel my legs.'"
Cunha said three remained in critical condition as of Monday, three were in serious condition, while others have been stabilized.
Ringling Bros spokesman Steven Payne had called the accident unprecedented and said, "We have never had an accident like this with this number of performers injured. It really is a testament to, you know, their physical fitness and skills, that the injuries were not more severe than they were."
CNN said the circus has already canceled two scheduled performances, and it has been reported that the investigation is now being led by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
