Cirque du Soleil cancels shows after fatal accident
SAN FRANCISCO — Cirque du Soleil “Luzia” has cancelled its San Francisco shows through Friday and hired psychologists to counsel cast and crew members in the wake of an accident that killed a technician earlier this week, officials said Thursday.
But the show in town for another eight weeks will go on.
Cirque du Soleil Chief Executive Officer Daniel Lamarre said Olivier Rochette, 42, of Quebec, Canada, was killed Tuesday night when a movable aerial lift, sitting on a slope in the big tent, toppled over and hit Rochette in the head. He had worked with the show for more than 20 years, Lamarre said.
“It’s a tragedy for sure,” Lamarre said. “The entire community of Cirque du Soleil is right now in mourning.”