Opening night for circus, one year after hair-hanging accident
By: Rebecca Turco
Email: rturco@abc6.com
PROVIDENCE – Opening night for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus showed people were ready to put aside any concerns they had regarding last year’s hair-hanging accident.
Droves of people left the Dunkin Donuts Center Thursday night.
For some, the memory of last year’s Human Chandelier accident, lives on. “It was shocking,” explained Janay Barboza of Providence, who witnessed the 8 acrobats catapult more than 15 feet to the ground last May. “Nobody ever thought it was going to happen.”
She told ABC6 News she was “a little bit” nervous before bringing her kids to the show again this year. “But it was a great show, everything worked out great,” she said.
The Human Chandelier is not a part of this year’s show, and new security measures are also in place. That comforted some circus-goers.
“Accidents happen and it was sad but the show must go on,” said Dan Sullivan of Boston. Most of the parents ABC6 News caught up with felt the same way.
“This is a circus. They’re not there to intentionally hurt anybody or anything else. They do a wonderful job,” said Jamie Floyd of Providence.
The circus is in town through Sunday.
© WLNE-TV 2015
