10 Dreadful Circus Accidents From The Past

Circus, once a flourishing industry showcasing remarkable human skills for the amusement of the general public, held a special place in the hearts of families seeking magical experiences. However, beyond the allure, the circus industry has faced its fair share of darkness and tragedy throughout history. In this article, we explore ten harrowing circus accidents from the past that left a lasting impact on the industry and its performers.

10. Dessi Espana

A talented Bulgarian-American circus performer, Dessi Espana captivated audiences with her mesmerizing aerial acts using chiffon scarves. Tragically, during a performance, a technical malfunction caused the chiffon to give way, resulting in Espana plummeting 30 feet to the ground. Despite her fame and success, she met her untimely demise, landing on her head.

9. Lion-Tamer Thomas MacCarte

Known as Massarti, this fearless lion tamer continued his daring profession even after losing one arm to the lions. In 1872, tragedy struck during a performance in Bolton when Massarti was viciously attacked by the lions in front of a helpless audience. Gripped by the hips, ribs, and scalp, he fought valiantly while circus attendants and police attempted to intervene. Sadly, their efforts were in vain, and Massarti succumbed to his injuries.

8. The St Louis Trapeze Accident

Fred Lazelle and Billy Millson, renowned trapeze performers, pushed the boundaries of danger with their audacious acts. In 1872, their daring routine took a devastating turn when a technical failure caused them to crash to the ground, injuring themselves and another gymnast named George North. Miraculously, they survived the accident, although Millson suffered broken ribs, and North endured internal injuries.

7. The Duluth Lynchings

A tragic event stained American history on June 15, 1920, when 19-year-old Irene Tusken was raped by six African-American circus workers while observing the loading of circus wagons. This led to a racially charged incident where several black men were unjustly arrested for the crime. A mob stormed the jail, subjected three innocent African-American men - Elias Clayton, Isaac McGhie, and Elmer Jackson - to a mock trial, and subsequently lynched them from a light pole. The perpetrators faced minimal repercussions, sparking outrage within the black community.

6. The Elephant Named Mary

On September 12, 1916, an inexplicable tragedy occurred involving Mary, a circus elephant, who trampled her handler. Speculations arose regarding the cause, with some suggesting mishandling and provocation by the handler, while others believed boredom compelled Mary to engage in reckless behavior. Outraged by the incident, a crowd demanded retribution, leading to Mary's hanging by the neck using an industrial crane. However, the chain snapped due to her weight, causing her to fall and break her hip. Mary endured a slow death following the failed hanging.

5. The Flying Wallendas

The Wallendas, a celebrated family of acrobats, captivated audiences for years as the "Flying Wallendas." Karl Wallenda, the family patriarch, introduced the Seven-Person Chair Pyramid act, which involved balancing on tightropes and a chair, 32 feet above the ground. Tragedy struck in 1962 when the lead performer faltered, causing the entire pyramid to collapse. Richard Faughnan, Wallenda's son-in-law, and Dieter Schepp, Wallenda's nephew, lost their lives, while Wallenda's adopted son, Mario, suffered paralysis in the lower part of his body.

4. The Wallace Brothers Circus Train Disaster

In 1903, the failure of brakes resulted in a catastrophic collision between two separate Wallace Brothers Circus trains. The second train, unable to stop despite seeing the red signal, smashed into several cars of the first train. This tragic incident claimed the lives of 30 circus workers and numerous animals, while 27 workers sustained injuries but managed to survive.

3. The Cleveland Circus Fire

In 1942, a devastating fire engulfed the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Cleveland, causing the deaths of over a hundred circus animals. While the human attendees managed to escape, the trapped animals perished in the flames. Tigers, zebras, camels, lions, and other creatures owned by the world's largest circus lost their lives. The fire destroyed nine cages, and 26 severely burned animals had to be euthanized.

2. Hagenbeck-Wallace Train Wreck

On June 22, 1918, tragedy struck when the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus train, carrying 400 performers, halted for the night. Unbeknownst to them, a Michigan Central Railroad troop train was approaching at a speed of 35 miles per hour. The troop train collided with the circus train, resulting in the deaths of 86 people and injuries to 127 others. The crash occurred due to the troop train's driver, Alonzo Sargent, falling asleep at the controls after a prolonged period of sleep deprivation and heavy meals.

1. The Hartford Circus Fire

One of the most devastating fire disasters in U.S. history unfolded on July 6, 1944, at Hartford, Connecticut. A small fire ignited in the southwest sidewall of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey big top circus tent. The fire rapidly spread due to the tent's waterproofing, which involved coating the canvas with a mixture of paraffin wax and gasoline or kerosene. Approximately 7,000 spectators attended the circus that day, with around 700 sustaining injuries and 169 losing their lives to smoke, fire, and stampede.

These dreadful circus accidents serve as somber reminders of the perils that performers, animals, and audiences have faced throughout the history of the circus industry. While the industry has evolved and safety measures have improved over time, these tragic events remain etched in the collective memory, prompting reflection on the inherent risks associated with this captivating form of entertainment.