Circus Accident Injures Nine

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Authorities in Rhode Island are trying to figure out what caused a support frame to collapse, sending eight acrobats crashing to the ground at Sunday's performance by Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus in Providence.

A spokesman for Ringling's parent company says the accident happened as the eight acrobats hung "like a human chandelier" using their hair, and they fell 25 to 40 feet. Also hurt was a dancer on the ground.

A hospital in providence says one person is in critical condition.

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