Friday, May 9, 2014

Circus acrobat vows to return to big top after fall
Samantha Pitard was one of eight acrobats hanging by their hair as part of an act described as a 'human chandelier' when they suddenly plummeted to the ground. But Pitard said the accident won't stop her from returning to the circus.


Samantha Pitard (l.) poses for a photo with Andrey Medeiros. 
AP PHOTO
FROM: nydailynews.com
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 
May 7, 2014
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — One of eight circus acrobats who plunged about 20 feet to the ground during a hair-hanging act witnessed by thousands says she’ll perform the stunt again.
“For me, you gotta get back up and do it again,” Samantha Pitard told The Associated Press after being released from a hospital Tuesday.
Pitard and seven other acrobats were in an act described as a “human chandelier,” hanging from an apparatus by their hair. They were injured during a Sunday performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus when a clip at the top of the chandelier-like apparatus snapped, dropping them to the ground.
The other women are still hospitalized and Pitard said she plans to stay in Providence to support her friends as they work to regain their health.


Samantha Pitard performs a heel hang from the lyra (aerial hoop) during the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Legends pre-show.
Then she’d like to return to the circus.
“I’m hoping to join back up with the tour and show the world that I’m OK, and I’m hoping some of the other girls will do the same,” she said.
Pitard, 23, a native of Champaign, Illinois, said she’s the only one of the troupe who can walk on her own. The others need assistance or haven’t tried to walk because they’re undergoing operations. But she said the others are expected to fully recover and are in good spirits after receiving an outpouring of support, including get well cards from children who witnessed the accident. About 3,900 people were in the audience.

Then she’d like to return to the circus.
“I’m hoping to join back up with the tour and show the world that I’m OK, and I’m hoping some of the other girls will do the same,” she said.
Pitard, 23, a native of Champaign, Illinois, said she’s the only one of the troupe who can walk on her own. The others need assistance or haven’t tried to walk because they’re undergoing operations. But she said the others are expected to fully recover and are in good spirits after receiving an outpouring of support, including get well cards from children who witnessed the accident. About 3,900 people were in the audience.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/circus-acrobat-vows-return-big-top-fall-article-1.1782622#ixzz318kzYLHH

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