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Cirque du Soleil performer dies in 15-metre fall Cirque du Soleil performer dies in 15-metre fall
(about 1 hour later)
A Cirque du Soleil performer has died after falling about 15 metres from the show's stage during a performance of Ka in Las Vegas.A Cirque du Soleil performer has died after falling about 15 metres from the show's stage during a performance of Ka in Las Vegas.
Sarah Guyard-Guillot, from Paris, was pronounced dead late on Saturday night local time.Sarah Guyard-Guillot, from Paris, was pronounced dead late on Saturday night local time.
Witnesses told the Las Vegas Sun the accident occurred near the end of the production at the MGM Grand.Witnesses told the Las Vegas Sun the accident occurred near the end of the production at the MGM Grand.
Visitor Dan Mosqueda of Colorado Springs, said the 31-year-old acrobatic performer was being hoisted up the side of the stage when she appeared to slip from her safety wire and plummeted to an open pit below the stage.Visitor Dan Mosqueda of Colorado Springs, said the 31-year-old acrobatic performer was being hoisted up the side of the stage when she appeared to slip from her safety wire and plummeted to an open pit below the stage.
"Initially, a lot of people in the audience thought it was part of the [show]," he told the Sun. "But you could hear screaming, then groaning, and we could hear a female artist crying from the stage.""Initially, a lot of people in the audience thought it was part of the [show]," he told the Sun. "But you could hear screaming, then groaning, and we could hear a female artist crying from the stage."
The show continued for a moment, then stopped. Minutes after the accident, a recorded announcement informed audience members that refunds or vouchers to future shows would be offered, and the crowd was dismissed.The show continued for a moment, then stopped. Minutes after the accident, a recorded announcement informed audience members that refunds or vouchers to future shows would be offered, and the crowd was dismissed.
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte issued a statement on Sunday praising Guyard-Guillot, a mother of two children. She had been with the original cast of Ka since 2006, and had been an acrobatic performer for more than 20 years.Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte issued a statement on Sunday praising Guyard-Guillot, a mother of two children. She had been with the original cast of Ka since 2006, and had been an acrobatic performer for more than 20 years.
"I am heartbroken. I wish to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family. We are all completely devastated," Laliberte said. "We are reminded with great humility and respect how extraordinary our artists are each and every night. Our focus now is to support each other as a family.""I am heartbroken. I wish to extend my sincerest sympathies to the family. We are all completely devastated," Laliberte said. "We are reminded with great humility and respect how extraordinary our artists are each and every night. Our focus now is to support each other as a family."
Cirque officials were working with authorities investigating the accident and had offered their full co-operation, he said. Performances of Ka have been cancelled until further notice.Cirque officials were working with authorities investigating the accident and had offered their full co-operation, he said. Performances of Ka have been cancelled until further notice.
The MGM Grand said in a statement: "Our company is deeply saddened by the loss of one of the talented Ka artists Saturday night. The thoughts and prayers of our employees are with the performer's family, the cast of Ka, and the entire Cirque family during this difficult time."
The accident occurred while Cirque's top executives, including president Daniel Lamarre, were in Las Vegas to celebrate the premiere of Michael Jackson One.