Crashed to the ground

That evening, the tent buzzed with excitement as spectators, young and old, settled into their seats, unaware they were moments away from witnessing an unspeakable tragedy.

About 5:45 p.m., during Barceló’s solo trapeze act – performed about 16 feet above the ground – she lost her grip and crashed to the ground.

Horrified screams tore through the tent as parents shielded their children’s eyes and panicked guests rushed for the exits, unable to process the nightmare unfolding before them.

Emergency services and police rushed to the scene, but she died instantly from her injuries.

“We can’t believe what happened,” a circus employee told German news outlet Bild, explaining that it was “a shock for her, for the extended circus family, and for everyone who had to witness the accident.”