MONTREAL — A Cirque du Soleil performer, who fell off a trampoline during a training session Friday, has died of his injuries.
The company said Oleksandr Zhurov (Sacha) died in a Montreal hospital Saturday.
The 24-year-old Ukrainian performer was doing general training exercises for the world-famous circus when the incident happened.
Cirque founder Guy Laliberte said he was deeply saddened by the death of the artist.
“Today, it is all of Cirque that is in mourning,” Laliberte said.
“Sacha was part of the extended Cirque family for the few months he was among us. An incident like this reminds us of the courage and determination displayed by our artists each and every day.”
A coroner’s inquiry on the circumstances of the accident is underway.
Cirque said it will co-operate fully with the investigation.
Cirque du Soleil was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy Laliberte and Daniel Gauthier.
The company is the winner of the 1991 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.