Circus Accident In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A spokesman says eight acrobats fell from a platform at a circus in Rhode Island while one dancer was injured on the floor below.

The accident happened Sunday morning during the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus' Legends show at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence.

Stephen Payne, a spokesman for Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros., confirmed that nine performers were seriously injured, including eight who were in the air.

Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare says officials and inspectors haven't yet determined what caused the accident.

The show's general manager says the accident occurred during the "hair hang" act while performers are hanging from their hair.