Updated March 19, 2018 13:52:08

A long-time aerialist with Cirque du Soleil has died after falling onto the stage during a performance in Florida, the company has confirmed.

Yann Arnaud was injured performing the aerial straps number during the show Volta in Tampa on Saturday night (local time).

In a statement, company president Daniel Lamarre said emergency procedures were immediately activated and Mr Arnaud was taken to the nearest hospital, where he later died.

"The entire Cirque du Soleil family is in shock and devastated by this tragedy," the statement said.

"Yann had been with us for over 15 years and was loved by all who had a chance to know him.

"Over the coming days and weeks, our focus will be on supporting Yann's family and our employees, especially the Volta team, as we go through these difficult times together."

Two days ago, Arnaud had announced on Instagram that his aerial straps duo act was "finally in the show".

"It's time to go for it," he had posted.

Volta's remaining two shows in Tampa have been cancelled.

Mr Lamarre said the company was gathering more information about Mr Arnaud's death and offered its "full and transparent collaboration" to authorities.

In 2013 acrobat Sarah Guyard was the first performer to die the history of Cirque du Soleil.

The 31-year-old fell from the high wire during a performance of KA in Las Vegas.

In 2016 technician Olivier Rochette, son of the circus's co-founder Gilles Ste-Croix, was killed while setting up for the show Luzia in San Francisco.

Topics: accidents, performance-art, arts-and-entertainment, united-states, canada

First posted March 19, 2018 08:58:42